Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor: Archie ‘so happy’ to have little sister after royal arrival

Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor birth
PA

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s son Archie was said to be “excited” and “very happy” about the arrival of his baby sister Lilibet.

The couple’s second child, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, was safely delivered at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California on Friday evening British time.

The birth was announced on their official website on Sunday afternoon.

The 7lb 11oz girl was given the Queen’s family nickname in what was widely seen as a peace offering following the traumatic “Megxit” split, but will be known as Lili.

Her middle name is a tribute to Harry’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales, who would have been 60 next month.

Sources said: “Archie and his parents are excited to welcome the new addition to their family. He’s very happy to have a little sister.”

Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor - In pictures

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Two-year-old Archie, left, was born at London’s Portland Hospital on May 6, 2019. Lili is eighth in line to the throne and is the 95-year-old Queen’s 11th great-grandchild. In their statement Harry and Meghan said: “On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”

The couple are now on “parental leave”, according to a statement on the website of their charity, Archewell Foundation. Harry’s time away from work comes after he took up a new job as chief impact officer at Californian coaching and mental health business BetterUp.

Wellwishers planning to give presents were asked to “support or learn more about” four organisations working for women and girls: Harvest Home, CAMFED, Girls Inc and the Myna Mahila Foundation.

The couple revealed they were expecting a girl in March during their interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah Winfrey with Meghan and Harry

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Congratulations have been sent by other members of the royal family, political leaders and celebrities. However, Buckingham Palace appeared to have been initially caught unaware, issuing a brief statement a full 90 minutes after the birth was announced.

It was followed by tweets from the official accounts of the Queen, Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall and Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Kate and William’s Kensington Royal account sent congratulations on the “happy news of the arrival of baby Lili”.

The tweet from Charles and Camilla’s Clarence House account wished them well “at this special time” and was accompanied by a picture of Harry, Meghan and Archie during their tour of Africa in 2019.

The name Lilibet was coined by the Queen because she could not pronounce Elizabeth properly as a toddler and was used by her younger sister Margaret and their parents.

Lili arrived six days before what would have been the Duke of Edinburgh’s 100th birthday. Princess Eugenie congratulated her “dear cousins” in a post on her Instagram stories account, accompanied by heart emojis. She wrote: “Congratulations dear cousins... we couldn’t be happier for you all.”

Photographer Misan Harriman, who took the pictures of Meghan and Harry that were used to announce that she was pregnant, congratulated his “brave friend”. He tweeted: “Lilibet has arrived! Congratulations to my brave friend and her lovely family!”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex: Prince Harry & Meghan Markle

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Comedian Ellen DeGeneres, a friend of the couple, tweeted: “Congratulations Meghan, Harry and Archie. Welcome to the world Lilibet! I am more than a Lilibet excited to meet you.”

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