Duke and Duchess of Sussex release first picture of daughter Lilibet on 'family holiday' card
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released the first picture of their daughter Lilibet, with Meghan holding her up in an image on their “family holiday” card.
The photo, which also shows Harry with Archie on his knee, was taken by Alexi Lubomirski this summer at the couple’s home in Santa Barbara, California.
The message on the card reads: “This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a ‘Mama’ and a ‘Papa’, and Lili made us a family. As we look forward to 2022, we have made donations on your behalf to several organizations that honor and protect families – from those being relocated from Afghanistan, to American families in need of paid parental leave: Team Rubicon, Welcome.US, Human First Coalition, Humanity Crew & Paid Leave For All, PL+US, Marshall Plan for Moms.
“Wishing you a happy holiday season and a prosperous New Year, from our family to yours! As ever, Harry, Meghan, Archie & Lili”.
The couple's second child, Lilibet, was born on 4 June this year.
Photographer Alexi Lubomirski said: "This is one of those rare and special projects, that one is fortunate enough to be a part of.
"To be able to continue the story of this family whom I first photographed as an engaged couple, then on the day of their wedding, as a married couple and now seeing their love manifest into two beautiful children, has been a delightful honour."
The Sussex's daughter is Queen Elizabeth's 11th great-grandchild, and is eighth in line to the throne.
Harry and Meghan's 'family holiday' card also features their son Archie, with distinctive red hair just like his father.
Their daughter was born in June this year and was given the full name Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
The name Lilibet was a tribute to the nickname King George V gave her granddaughter Queen Elizabeth II when she was a child.
The Royal Family all welcomed the birth of Lilibet but it's been a difficult year for relations between the Sussexes and the wider family.
During their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey about life as a royal in March this year they laid several allegations against the family.
Meghan and Harry laid bare their brief lives as a working royal couple, alleging a member of the family – not the Queen or Duke of Edinburgh – made a racist comment about their son, and how the duchess had suicidal thoughts but her approaches to the monarchy for help were turned down.
Winfrey was left opened-mouthed when the duchess – the first mixed-race member of the modern monarchy – said a fellow royal was worried about how dark their son Archie’s skin tone might be before he was born.
Archie was born in May 2019 and is the seventh in line for the throne.