Prince Harry has opened up about the birth of his daughter, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, in his new book.
His memoir Spare details how wife Meghan Markle gave birth in a US hospital after the pair stepped down from their royal duties in early 2020.
Unlike when their son Archie was born, there was less media attention on the couple as they prepared to welcome their first daughter into the world in June 2021. Harry explained how the first few hours of labour went by, saying they "danced around the hospital room" while waiting for their daughter to be born.
The Mirror reports that when the doctor told them Lilibet was just a few minutes away from coming into the world, Harry said he wanted to be the first person his daughter saw.
He writes: "I cradled her just a moment, trying to smile at her, to see her, but honestly I couldn’t see anything."
Harry worried she would be scared and wanted to tell her: "Don’t be, don’t be, all will be well. I’ll keep you safe."
Shortly after, it was time to bring Lili home and begin their new life as a family of four.
And Harry has detailed a touching moment between him and Meghan just hours after their new addition was born.
He writes that when they were doing skin-to-skin with Lili, Meghan said: "I’ve never been more in love with you than in that moment."
But Harry, who didn't know if he believed her, simply replied: "Really?" which she confirmed by repeating his word back to him.
Lilibet was born at 11.40am, weighing 7lbs 11oz.
The couple didn't reveal too many details of Lili's birth at the time, but Harry has since given more information in his new book.
At the time, the couple released a statement saying: "On June 4th, 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."
An official statement from Archwell at the time said: "It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world.
"Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA.
"She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home.
"Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.
"This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
"The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family."
Lili ended up meeting her great-grandmother and namesake the Queen when the couple returned to the UK for the monarch's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year.
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