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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Rosaleen Fenton

Lilibet’s first birthday - meaningful gift, sweet photograph and royal guests

Prince Harry and Meghan last night gave the world a rare glimpse of their daughter Lilibet - and her sweet birthday celebrations.

The todder - named in tribute to the Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet - turned one year old in the grounds of Frogmore Cottage at Windsor on Saturday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex invited a number of close friends and family members to a low-key back garden picnic while attending the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

It is understood the relaxed event included all the usual features of a one-year-old's birthday - such as birthday cake, balloons, party face painting and games.

According to the Daily Mail, attendees reportedly included Zara and Mike Tindall's three children, Mia, eight, Lena, three, and Lucas, one, as well as Savannah, 11, and Isla, 10, daughters of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly.

The Cambridges could not attend Lilibet's birthday party as they carried out a royal engagement in Cardiff with Prince George, eight, and Princess Charlotte, seven on Saturday, while Prince Louis, four, remained at home.

Three-year-old Archie's godfather, Charlie Van Straubenzee, and his brother Tom, godfather to Princess Charlotte, were also invited, it is understood.

Prince Harry and Meghan release first pic of birthday girl Lilibet (@scobie/Twitter)
They celebrated the tot's birthday in a low-key sweet celebration at Frogmore Cottage (@misanharriman/Twitter)

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Photograph of Lilibet

The sweet photograph shows the red-haired toddler beaming as she sits on the lawn in a powder-blue dress - with fans gushing over her similarity to her dad.

She clearly has inherited her father's red hair, has blue eyes and her smile shows that she has at least six baby teeth.

It was taken by family friend Misan Harriman who also took the sweet snaps used by Harry and Meghan to announce the Duchess was pregnant with Lilibet in February 2021.

Misan shared a sweet photo from the occasion (@misanharriman/Twitter)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with their daughter Lilibet and son Archie in 2021 (EPN/Newscom / Avalon)

He wrote on his Twitter: "It was such a privilege to celebrate the first birthday of Lilibet with my family and hers! Joy and face painting all around."

He also shared a sweet photo of Lilibet and Meghan, alongside Harriman's wife, Camilla Holmstroem, and their two daughters.

In it, Meghan and Camilla beam at the camera - with Meghan wearing a long-sleeved top tucked into a pair of wide-leg, pinstriped pants, while the younger children sport lion face paint.

Swing set

One assistant was even seen carrying a wooden swing set (BACKGRID)

After the party, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the UK before the celebrations were over - and were photographed back in California.

Staff were seen with their luggage that appeared to include a wooden swing set which looked similar to the one gifted to William and Kate by Prince Charles.

Twitter royal commentator and friend of the Sussexes Omid Scobie said the couple invited close friends and family for an 'intimate backyard picnic' as he posted the picture.

Birthday cake

It is thought Harry and Meghan's wedding baker made Lilibet's first birthday cake. Claire Ptak shared a sweet photo of a cake topped with flowers that royal fans have speculated could be for Lilibet.

The pretty pink cake was topped with flowers and frosting. Claire shared a second photograph this morning with the caption 'Frilly'.

On their wedding day, she made a lemon and elderflower cake, which was served in four parts. The baker previously shared photos of this creation.

The wedding cake by Claire Ptak for Meghan and Harry (Getty Images)

Royal fans around the world have donated more than £79,800 to the World Central Kitchen, one of the charities the Sussexes' Archewell Foundation has been supporting, to celebrate Lilibet's birthday.

The organisation provides meals for those affected by humanitarian, climate and community crises and is said to be especially near to the couple's hearts.

José Andrés, a founder of the World Central Kitchen, previously told TIME: "Springing into action is not the easy choice for a young duke and duchess who have been blessed through birth and talent, and burned by fame.

"It would be much safer to enjoy their good fortune and stay silent. That’s not what Harry and Meghan do, or who they are.

"They turn compassion into boots on the ground through their Archewell Foundation. They give voice to the voiceless through media production.

"Hand in hand with nonprofit partners, they take risks to help communities in need—offering mental-health support to Black women and girls in the U.S., and feeding those affected by natural disasters in India and the Caribbean.

What was your favourite moment from the Jubilee? Have your say in the comment section below.

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