How Harry & Meghan Are Raising Daughter Lili Out of the Spotlight

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, welcomed their daughter Lili on June 4, 2021. They shared the news on their Archewell Foundation page, expressing their gratitude for the support they have received from around the world. Meghan is set to release her first children’s book, “The Bench,” on June 8, which is a celebration of fatherhood from a mother’s perspective.


“To have a boy and then a girl, you know, what more can you ask for?”

Prior to the birth of their daughter, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, on June 4, 2021, Prince Harry expressed his anticipation a few months earlier. With this event, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor became an older brother, bringing their family plan to realization.

I can’t help but gush as I share this heartwarming moment between Harry and me, Oprah Winfrey, during their intimate interview at their Montecito, California home. “We’re blessed,” I exclaim with a smile, “to have our little family of six – Harry, Meghan, our two dear dogs – and it feels amazing.”

Added then-pregnant Meghan, “Two is it.”

When Harry brought their “long-awaited daughter from the other realm into the present,” as expressed in his 2023 memoir “Spare“, their family finally reached its perfect state.

At home, he remarked, the cozy area around the kitchen, designated for Lili’s playpen, toys, and stuffed animals, was affectionately named “Lili’s Land.”

Instead of ending with “and they lived happily ever after,” which is a common cliché used to signify a fairy tale-like ending, the branch of the royal family that chose to live in California could have experienced an equally contented and fulfilling life, providing an alternative and more realistic conclusion to their story.

Harry and Meghan revealed more details about the reasons behind their move in an in-depth discussion. They granted access to their 18,000-square-foot residence for a Netflix docuseries produced in 2022. This not only offered them a global audience to share their concerns but also provided viewers with a peek into their family life.

As an avid follower of the royal family, I can’t help but share my perspective on this intriguing turn of events. Though their children, Archie and Lilibet, continue to captivate us all as the sixth and seventh in line to the British throne with their grandfather’s ascension to the throne as King Charles III, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have chosen an unexpected path for themselves. Instead of embracing the traditional roles of senior royals, they have opted for a new direction.

In the show, Meghan expressed her diligent efforts to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their children while being mindful of their significant roles within the esteemed royal family.

Their unconventional approach to welcoming Archie into the world caused some stir among longtime observers of the royal family. They opted against disclosing a birth plan and preferred a more private christening, which shocked some. However, since Archie was born in London with his parents still holding senior positions within the royal family, they ultimately complied with tradition. Archie made his first royal tour at just 4 months old, traveling to Africa.

As an obsessed fan, I can tell you that when Lili entered the world three years ago at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, there weren’t any specific individuals dedicated to catering to her needs, beyond the general curiosity of the public. And, aside from a brief appearance in a six-episode docuseries, Lili’s parents have remained committed to keeping their babies away from the limelight.

During their May tour of Nigeria, they didn’t bring their kids along with them, but kept their children’s presence in mind instead.

As an avid supporter of the arts, I couldn’t help but share with these adorable kindergarten students at Lightway Academy in Abuja that Lili, my beloved family member with a hidden talent for performing, absolutely cherishes her favorite class.

To a gathering of older children, Meghan acknowledged the commendable resilience they displayed by attending despite challenges.

“Our daughter, Lili, is significantly smaller than all of you,” she pointed out. “She will be turning 3 soon. A few weeks ago, as I looked at her, she seemed to notice her reflection in my eyes. She then remarked, ‘Mama, I see myself in you.'”

Meghan explained, “Literally, Lili was appearing as tiny images in your mom’s retinas. However, I interpreted those words differently. I thought, ‘Yes, we both see each other, but I also see myself reflected in all of you gathered here in this room.'”

Meghan expressed her regret over not being able to celebrate Mother’s Day with her family on May 12, a day less festive for the royals compared to the U.K.’s Mother’s Day on March 10. She shared this sentiment during an appearance at the State Governor House in Lagos, admitting, “we certainly miss our children.”

A few days after, they made their way back home. Meghan conceded that achieving a perfect equilibrium between work and personal life is an elusive concept.

Reflecting during a Women in Leadership event on my recent trip, I pondered the meaning of her words: “The balance in your life will constantly evolve for you.” This notion resonated deeply with me, as I recalled how different my life felt 10 years ago. Fulfilling my dream of motherhood, I am so grateful for our two vibrant, healthy, and chatty children who enrich my world every day.

Harry shared on “Good Morning America” in February that his son and daughter were thriving. He added, “Both of them possess a fantastic sense of humor which brings joy and keeps us connected each day, much like most children do.”

As a lifestyle expert, I can relate when people find it difficult to contain their excitement and pride when discussing their children. It’s only natural for us parents to want to share the joy and achievements of our little ones. So, instead of saying “it’s hard not to talk about your kids at all,” we could paraphrase it as, “I find it challenging to keep quiet about my children when I’m so proud of them.”

Read on for all the insight Harry and Meghan have shared about their life as parents:

In response to Sky News’ question about settlement and the arrival of Princess Charlotte as his niece in 2015, he expressed, “I don’t believe you can rush these matters. It will occur when it’s ready to happen.” He added, “Although I long to have children at this moment, there is a set procedure one must adhere to.”

In the past, Meghan expressed her desire for a Cartier French Tank watch, intending it as a future gift for her child. Following the news that “Suits” had been renewed for a third season in 2013 – an achievement she considered significant at the time – she indulged and bought the two-toned model. She subsequently had ‘To M.M. From M.M.’ engraved on the back, intending to present it to her daughter at a later stage.

The topic of fatherhood, together with marriage, has often followed in the footsteps of Prince Charles and the late Princess Diana’s younger son. In interviews, he has shared that there have been instances throughout his life where he has felt a strong desire to have children, particularly during their foreign tours. However, there have also been times when he has hesitated, even expressing reluctance, stating “I tell you what: There’s been times I’ve been put off having children.” He expressed these thoughts to People magazine in May 2016, just prior to meeting his current partner.

In 2017, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced their engagement and gave their initial interview as a couple. During this interview, the subject of starting a family was brought up. Prince Harry replied, “Yes, absolutely. One step at a time, and we hope to start a family soon.” Meghan smiled in agreement next to him.

Becoming a mom after Archie’s birth feels like a magical experience to me. It’s truly remarkable, and with my two wonderful men by my side, I couldn’t be happier.

After Archie’s arrival in May 2019, Harry expressed, “This experience is more wonderful than I could have ever imagined. I can’t fathom how women go through this process, but my partner and I are beyond elated and deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support from everyone around us. We wanted to share this joy with you all.”

Harry pondered over the valuable insights he gained since taking on the role of a parent during his address at the 2019 National Youth Mentoring Summit. He imparted, “What hits me hard today are several realizations, primarily the profound impact of unseen role models. The individual present here, who might be unaware, looks up to you. You, in turn, shape their character by encouraging kindness, excellence, and influence. I’ve come to understand that my son is constantly observing me and will likely emulate my actions as he grows, eventually possibly mirroring my path.”

“Our number one focus is our young son. Yet, our work comes in as a close second in importance, and we’re dedicating all our efforts to contributing positively to the world,” Prince Harry expressed during his speaking engagement in 2020.

As an obsessed fan, I’d rephrase it like this: Harry and Meghan have discovered a precious blessing during the coronavirus pandemic through their little boy Archie. “We’re truly grateful for being able to witness him grow every day,” Meghan expressed in October 2020. “With COVID keeping us at home, we would have been traveling and working extensively instead. We wouldn’t want to miss those precious moments with our family.”

Harry remarked, “We experienced all of Archie’s first milestones together – his first steps, runs, and falls.”

In May 2021, Meghan made a seldom television appearance during Global Citizen’s VAX Live: The Concert to Reunite the World event. The ex-actress revealed her pregnancy and expressed her delight about becoming a mother. “My spouse and I are elated to be on the verge of welcoming a daughter,” she shared then. “When we reflect on her, we consider the countless girls and women worldwide who deserve the chance and the backing to lead us into the future.”

“The outcomes of their future leadership hinge on the choices and actions we take today to ensure a prosperous, fair, and caring tomorrow for everyone involved.”

Meghan Markle briefly appears in her husband’s Apple TV+ series titled “The Me You Can’t See” alongside Oprah Winfrey. In this segment, the Californian-born Meghan subtly acknowledges her expanding family by wearing a shirt inscribed with the message, “Raising the Next Generation.”

On their Archewell Foundation page, the couple announced the birth of their daughter, whom they named Lili, on June 4th. They expressed their profound joy and gratitude for the outpouring of love and prayers they have received from around the world. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this delightful time in our family’s life.

On June 8, 2021, Meghan is set to publish her inaugural children’s book titled “The Bench“. This work pays tribute to fatherhood as observed from a mother’s perspective. In a May press release, she shared, “My poem ‘The Bench‘ for my husband on Father’s Day, a month after Archie was born, blossomed into this story.”

In a letter penned down in October 2021 to the esteemed House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Chuck Schumer, I expressed my heartfelt joy but unavoidable overwhelm when my little one entered the world amidst the ongoing pandemic chaos that disrupted usual routines in hospitals and schools.

She expressed that, similar to fewer parents, we were spared the tough decision of either being with our newborn during the initial crucial stages or returning to work. We had the privilege to bring our baby home and dedicate all our time and resources to our children and family during this significant period. This meant we avoided the daily struggle that many face in making difficult choices regarding childcare, employment, and healthcare.

Meghan went on to express, “It’s unfair for any family to be forced to make such choices. They should not have to struggle between providing for their livelihood and caring for a child (or a loved one, or themselves) as a comprehensive paid leave policy would allow.”

In the interview on TODAY in April 2022, Harry admitted that balancing work-from-home duties with parenting proved to be quite challenging for him.

I notice that Archie interjects more frequently during our Zoom meetings than anyone else. Additionally, he seems to join the calls quite frequently as well, which is an interesting quirk of his.

Harry remarked that he observed his son inheriting his wit and playfulness. “I make it a point to preserve that,” he continued. “I believe that this mischievous trait contributes to one’s vitality.”

Meghan admitted she was concerned for her—and everybody else’s—kids in the age of social media.

During her talk at the Archewell Foundation Parents’ Summit in October 2023 for World Mental Health Day, as part of Project Healthy Minds, she expressed, “Being a mother holds the greatest significance in my life – second only to being Harry’s wife.”

She continued, “I’m grateful that our kids are still young and we don’t have to face this issue right away. However, I’m also apprehensive about how things are evolving, and it’s a concern for the future.”

As a parent, Meghan acknowledged the passing of time, expressing that “the days may drag on, but the years seem to fly by.” Meanwhile, she emphasized, “Given the impact of the digital realm and social media on us all, it’s essential that we prioritize safety in our lives.”

During her visit to Lightway Academy in Abuja, Nigeria, back in May 2024, Meghan shared with a group of kindergarteners that our daughter, Lili, is significantly smaller than all of you. She’s approaching her third birthday. Not long ago, Lili looked at me and recognized herself in my eyes. She said, “Mama, I see myself in you.”

Meghan remarked, “She spoke quite literally at that moment.” However, I interpreted her words differently. I thought, “Indeed, I recognize myself in you, and vice versa.”

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2024-07-14 18:58