Born on June 4, 2021, Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor has grown up largely away from the public eye, with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle choosing to keep many of their family moments private. The youngest child of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex arrived three years after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's fairytale royal wedding, which began with a blind date in London back in 2016. Since then, the couple has shared only occasional glimpses of their daughter, making every new photo a special treat for royal watchers.

Now, five years later, Princess Lilibet has reached another milestone. To mark her 5th birthday on June 4, Meghan Markle shared a rare glimpse of her daughter, posting new photos alongside a heartfelt message calling her "our dream girl." As the birthday tribute offered fans another look at the young princess growing up away from the spotlight, let us take a look at 7 adorable photos and moments that capture Lilibet's journey so far.

In December 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared the very first public photograph of their daughter, Princess Lilibet Diana, through their annual holiday card.

Accompanying the portrait was a heartfelt message that read, "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."

The image, captured by photographer Alexi Lubomirski at the family's Santa Barbara home, showed Meghan Markle joyfully lifting six-month-old Lilibet into the air while Prince Harry sat nearby with Archie on his lap.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Mark Daughter Lilibet’s 5th Birthday With Rare Family Photo

The candid family portrait quickly became one of the Sussexes' most cherished public releases. Not only did it offer royal fans their first glimpse of Lilibet, but it also provided a rare look into the family's life away from the spotlight. With its warmth, authenticity, and celebration of a growing family, the holiday card marked a memorable milestone in Princess Lilibet's early years and remains a favorite among royal watchers.

Lilibet's first birthday was celebrated on June 4, 2022, during the late Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee weekend. The intimate gathering took place at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, where Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were staying during their visit to the United Kingdom.

"It was such a privilege to celebrate the 1st birthday of Lilibet with my family and hers! Joy and face painting all around," wrote photographer and family friend Misan Harriman on June 6, 2022, as he shared a series of photos from Princess Lilibet's first birthday celebration.

The post accompanied a black-and-white image of Meghan Markle holding her daughter and quickly became one of the most talked-about royal family snapshots of the year. According to reports, the casual backyard picnic featured face painting, games, and a special birthday cake created by Claire Ptak, who also made the Sussexes' wedding cake. The celebration was attended by close friends and family, and the photos shared by Harriman offered the public a rare glimpse of the young princess smiling in a pale blue dress with a bow in her hair.

To celebrate Princess Lilibet's fourth birthday on June 4, 2025, Meghan Markle shared a heartfelt tribute showcasing the special bond between her daughter and Prince Harry.

Posted on Instagram, the message read, "The sweetest bond to watch unfold Daddy's little girl and favorite adventurer. Happy birthday Lili!"

The post featured two intimate photographs that offered a rare glimpse into the father-daughter relationship away from the public eye. The first image was a touching black-and-white photo taken shortly after Lilibet's birth in 2021. In it, Prince Harry lovingly cradles his newborn daughter while gazing at her with admiration.

The second photograph captured a much later chapter in their journey together, showing Prince Harry and Lilibet walking hand in hand along a palm-lined path near the beach. With the pair barefoot and enjoying the sunshine, the photo reflected the adventurous spirit Meghan referenced in her caption. Together, the images beautifully documented Lilibet's growth and the enduring bond she shares with her father.

On March 8, 2026, Meghan Markle marked International Women's Day with a rare and touching photo featuring her daughter, Princess Lilibet. Shared on Instagram, the post carried the simple yet meaningful caption:

"For the woman she will one day be… Happy International Women's Day: Papa Sussex."

The credit revealed that the photograph had been taken by Prince Harry, affectionately referred to by Meghan Markle as "Papa Sussex." The image captured a quiet mother-daughter moment by the ocean. Seated on a rocky beach overlooking the water, Meghan wrapped her arms around four-year-old Lilibet and gently kissed her forehead.

While the pair was photographed from behind, preserving Lilibet's privacy, the snapshot conveyed warmth and affection without revealing her face. Taken during a family outing in California, the photograph served as both a tribute to women around the world and a heartfelt reflection on the bright future Meghan Markle hopes her daughter will one day embrace.

On May 11, 2025, Meghan Markle celebrated Mother's Day in the United States by sharing a rare family photo featuring her children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Posted on her Instagram account, the image showed Meghan standing on the patio of the family's Montecito home while carrying both children in her arms. With their faces turned away from the camera, the intimate snapshot preserved their privacy while still offering fans a glimpse of family life.

Markle captioned the post, "Happy Mother's Day! Cheers to juggling it all with joy! And to these two gems who still attempt to climb 'mama mountain,' smother me with kisses, and make every day the most memorable adventure... being your mom is the greatest privilege of my life."

She concluded the tribute with the sweet line, "I, too, love you more than all the stars in all the sky, all the raindrops, and all the salt on all the french fries in all the world."

The heartfelt post quickly resonated with fans, capturing the joy, chaos, and affection that define Meghan's life as a mother to Archie and Lilibet.

On May 16, 2026, Meghan Markle shared a rare mother-daughter moment on Instagram with the simple caption, "Mama's little helper." The post featured a candid mirror selfie taken inside what appeared to be her walk-in closet at the family's home in Montecito, California.

In the photo, Meghan Markle stood in front of a full-length mirror wearing a lilac outfit while preparing for an upcoming trip. Sitting on the floor in front of her was four-year-old Princess Lilibet, who appeared to be helping her mother get ready. With her back to the camera, Lilibet's growing red hair was tied back with a bright red scrunchie, and she seemed focused on Meghan Markle's shoes as the Duchess snapped the selfie.

The sweet domestic moment offered fans another rare glimpse into the Sussex family's private life and highlighted the close bond between mother and daughter. The post quickly gained attention online, with many royal watchers charmed by Lilibet's role as Meghan's adorable "little helper."

In May 2026, Meghan Markle shared a carousel of family photos from a Disneyland trip on Instagram, accompanying the post with a simple red heart emoji. The outing was part of a family celebration for Archie and Lilibet's birthdays and an extension of Mother's Day festivities with Meghan Markle's mother, Doria Ragland. Among the most charming images in the carousel was a photo of Princess Lilibet meeting one of her favorite Disney royals, Cinderella. The young princess could be seen wrapping her arms around Cinderella in a sweet hug, creating a picture-perfect Disney moment.

The carousel also included another memorable snapshot showing Lilibet and Archie meeting Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty. Meghan Markle, wearing Minnie Mouse ears, smiled nearby as her children enjoyed the magical encounter. Other photos captured the family on rides, meeting Disney characters, and spending time together at the California theme park. For many royal watchers, Lilibet's meetings with Cinderella and Aurora became the standout moments from the post, making it a delightful case of one princess meeting another. These seven heartwarming moments offer a glimpse into Princess Lilibet's journey so far.

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Which moment is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!