MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry’s new baby Lilibet Diana arrived on June 4 and the date has a very sweet connection to the duke’s late mother, Princess Diana.
Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born at 11.40am on Friday in California, exactly 25 years to the day that Princess Diana visited Meghan’s university in the US.
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On June 4, 1996, Diana visited Northwestern University in Illinois, which where Meghan studied from 1999 to 2003.
Diana spent five days at the university and raised nearly $1million for the University’s Robert H. Lurie Cancer Center in her role as the President of London’s Royal Marsden Hospital and its Cancer Fund at the time.
Madeleine McGonigle, who was aged four during the visit, met Diana at the university and later said: “Diana was the epitome of class, very personable, and she cared deeply for the common man.”
Meghan may have missed Diana by just three years, but her future mum-in-law now has a huge impact on her life, and not just with her daughter’s middle name being in tribute to her.
Meghan has chosen to champion many causes that were close to Diana’s heart with her philanthropic work, including the arts and vulnerable people.
Meghan graduated from the University’s School of Communication in 2003 with a double major in theatre and international studies and was part of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority.
She later went on to star in the hit TV show Suits from 2011 to 2018, before tying the knot with Prince Harry in May 2018.
Meghan and Harry said in a statement about their new baby girl: “She is more than we could have ever imagined.”
Royal experts said the choice of Lilibet may be an olive branch to the Royal Family after recent controversies.
A statement confirmed the baby girl weighed 7lbs 11oz and “both mother and child are healthy and well and settling in at home”.
A statement published on their Archewell website 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 from across the globe.
“Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”
And the Queen, Prince William, and Kate Middleton have congratulated Meghan and Harry on the birth of their daughter.
Her Majesty and the royals said they were “delighted” at the news and made a touching tribute to the couple and their baby girl.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been informed and are delighted with the news of the birth of a daughter for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tweeted: “We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili.
“Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie.”
In more Royal Family news, this is the adorable nickname Prince Philip’s mum used in loving letters to the Duke revealed – and it will melt your heart.
Here is how Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor will grow up with Orlando Bloom & Serena Williams’ kids – instead of UK cousins.
