Meghan Markle shares new photos of Princess Lilibet’s 5th birthday

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• Quick Facts
• A Rare Family Portrait for the Milestone Birthday
• Growing Up in Montecito
• Balancing Privacy and Public Life
  • Sources

Meghan Markle celebrated Princess Lilibet’s 5th birthday on Thursday, June 4, by sharing two new family photos on Instagram, offering a rare public glimpse of her daughter with her distinctive red hair. The Duchess of Sussex posted the images alongside the caption “Our dream girl. Happy 5th birthday, Lili 🤍,” continuing her practice of selectively sharing family moments since returning to social media in 2025.

A Rare Family Portrait for the Milestone Birthday

The first image in Meghan’s carousel shows Prince Harry holding Lilibet in his arms while Meghan looks on with a smile. The second photograph captures the young princess walking barefoot in the family’s garden. Both images showcase Lilibet’s striking red hair, a trait she and her older brother Prince Archie inherited from their father, Prince Harry. The embroidered sundress she wore in both photos highlighted the casual, intimate nature of the birthday tribute.

The Duchess of Sussex’s choice to share these photos on June 4 marks another milestone in her approach to parenting in the public eye. Since launching her personal Instagram account in 2025, Meghan has gradually shared more glimpses of her children’s lives, balancing privacy concerns with moments of connection with her followers. Harry and Meghan have celebrated both children’s milestones through carefully curated social media posts that reflect their family values.

Growing Up in Montecito

Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born in June 2021 in California, where Prince Harry and Meghan relocated after stepping back from royal duties in January 2020. The family has since built a life in their Montecito home, where they are raising Lilibet and her older brother Prince Archie, who turned 7 in May. According to sources, the family recently celebrated both children’s birthdays together with a trip to Disneyland, extending the festivities across their May and June milestone dates.

Meghan has spoken about her desire to provide normalcy for her children despite their unique circumstances. In an exclusive interview, she explained that she and Harry prioritize giving their kids “the same normalcy as parents and for our children as they do, despite however unique our situation is.” The family’s approach to social media—sharing select moments while protecting their children’s privacy—reflects this philosophy of balancing public connection with personal boundaries.

Balancing Privacy and Public Life

The birthday post comes amid ongoing discussion about Meghan’s relationship with social media. In May, the Duchess delivered a speech in Geneva to the World Health Organization, where she raised concerns about the measurable harms social media poses to children. Her spokesperson told Newsweek that there is “a distinction between sharing moments from her life and exposing her children to public scrutiny,” emphasizing that by obscuring their faces in many posts, she demonstrates the privacy principle she advocates for.

Meghan’s return to Instagram has allowed her to share family experiences on her own terms, from holiday card photos to birthday tributes and candid moments from family outings. For Lilibet’s 5th birthday, the Duchess chose to present images that celebrate the milestone while maintaining the protective approach she has established for her children’s digital footprint. The red-haired princess, now officially a 5-year-old, continues to grow up largely away from the intense media scrutiny that defined Prince Harry’s own childhood.

Sources

• People.com — Princess Lilibet’s 5th birthday celebration, photos from Instagram, family details, and Montecito home location
• Newsweek — Meghan’s Instagram post caption, birthday photos, and statement from her spokesperson on privacy approach
• USA Today — Meghan’s birthday tribute and photo details
• ABC News — Confirmation of Lilibet turning 5 on June 4, 2026