Prince Harry, Meghan Markle announces birth of baby girl, names her after Queen and Princess Diana
Sunday, 6 June 2021 (22:59 IST)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Sunday announced the birth of their second child, a baby girl.
"It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world," the couple's press secretary said on Sunday.
She was born at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California on Friday at 11:40 a.m. local time (1840 UTC/GMT), and Harry was in attendance. She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz (3.48 kilograms).
"Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home," the press secretary said, adding: "The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family."
Her first name, Lilibet, is a nod to Her Majesty The Queen's nickname. Her middle name is in honor of her grandmother and Harry's mother.
The baby is the eighth in line to the British throne.
No photos of the newborn or the Sussexes accompanied the announcement.
Johnson sends congratulations
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson was among the wellwishers.
He wrote on Twitter: "Many congratulations to The Duke & Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their daughter."
Many congratulations to The Duke & Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their daughter.
The Invictus Games Foundation, an international sporting event for wounded and sick service people and veterans that was founded by Prince Harry wrote:
"Congratulations to our Patron The Duke of Sussex and to the Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their second child! Welcome to the #InvictusFamily Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana Mountbatten-Windsor!"
Congratulations to our Patron The Duke of Sussex and to the Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their second child! Welcome to the #InvictusFamily Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana Mountbatten-Windsor!
— Invictus Games Foundation (@WeAreInvictus) June 6, 2021
The birth comes after Harry and Meghan's explosive TV interview with Oprah Winfrey in March.
The couple described painful discussions about the color of their first child's skin, losing royal protection and the intense pressures that led her to contemplate suicide.
Buckingham Palace said the allegations of racism made by the couple were "concerning."
The royal family said the issue would be addressed privately.
Harry and Meghan's departure from royal duties began in March 2020 over what they described as the intrusions and racist attitudes of the British media toward the duchess.
