Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have welcomed their second child into the world, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, named in honour of her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, and her late grandmother, Diana, the Princess of Wales.
Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40am (local time) at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California.
"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," the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement. "Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."
Both mother and child are healthy, well and settling in at home.
Lili's older brother, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, was born in May 2019.
Buckingham Palace has issued a statement acknowledging Lili's birth, saying the Queen, Charles, Princes of Wales, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, are "delighted with the news".
In separate statements, William and Kate said the family is "delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili", while grandparents Charles and Camilla sent the couple their well wishes "at this special time".
Boris Johnson, the British Prime Minister, offered his congratulations to the Sussexes.
"Many congratulations to the Duke & Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their daughter," he said.
Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, the British Opposition, also tweeted in recognition of the birth.
"Wonderful news! Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex."
Prince Harry's Invictus Games Foundation, an international sporting event for wounded and sick servicemen, servicewomen and veterans, welcomed Lili to the "Invictus Family" in a congratulatory tweet.
"Congratulations to our Patron The Duke of Sussex and to the Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their second child! Welcome to the #InvictusFamily Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor!"
Talk show host and comedian Ellen DeGeneres acknowledged the birth on Twitter, writing: "Congratulations Meghan, Harry and Archie. Welcome to the world Lilibet! I am more than a Lilibet excited to meet you."
High-profile commentator Omid Scobie, the royal editor for Harper's Bazaar, shared his excitement at the news on Twitter - and reiterated the Sussexes request for fans and well-wishers to support women-focused organisations rather than sending gifts.
The Sussexes, who married in May 2018, officially announced Markle's pregnancy in February. The couple later revealed they were expecting a baby girl during their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Harry and Meghan relocated to California last year after stepping down as working royals and senior members of the Royal Family. They became officially independent in March 2020.
