Princess Lilibet turns 4: Everything we know about youngest Sussex so far

Princess Lilibet was born Lilibet Diana Mountabatten-Windsor to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, on June 4, 2021.

Though born into the royal family, young Lilibet was given birth in the US following her parents’ abdication of royal duties and eventual relocation from the UK and is the younger sister of their first child, 6-year-old Prince Archie.

While Lilibet is mostly kept out of the public eye by the Sussex couple, here are a few details we know about her:

Birth

Princess Lilibet’s birth was announced by her parents via their Archewell foundation’s website, four years ago.

“On 4 June, 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,” they shared.

Name

The 4-year-old Princess’ first name is derived from the pet name which belonged to her great grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.

Reportedly, “Lilibet” is how the late Queen used to pronounce her name as a young toddler when she couldn’t speak any better. It was her grandfather, King George V, who first started calling her Lilibet and the name stuck.

The birthday girl’s second name is obviously in honour of her late grandmother, Princess Diana, who tragically passed away when Prince Harry was only 12.

Moreover, her parents have revealed on different occasions that they call their little Princess “Lili”, for short.

Relationship with royal family

While Lili was born in the US, the Duke and Duchess revealed that when they did reveal her name to the former British sovereign, she was well “supportive” of the choice.

However, BBC and other sources reputed this fact, in response to which they were served “legal letters” by the estranged royals.

“At the time, the Sussexes’s lawyers reportedly sent legal letters to the ‘BBC’ and other publishers saying the claim was false and defamatory, while their spokesperson insisted they spoke to the late monarch,” reported The Daily Express.

As for her grandfather, King Charles, Lilibet’s birth was “such happy news”.

The King was able to see his fifth grandchild during her first visit to the UK, which came on the occasion of the late Queen’s platinum jubilee celebrations in 2022.

A source told PEOPLE at the time, “He hadn’t met Lilibet, his granddaughter, and so to meet her for the first time was very emotional — it was a wonderful thing.”

Royal title

Though Lilibet is known as a princess today, she was not born as such.

Princess is a title which was bestowed on the second child of Harry and Meghan after her grandfather ascended on the British throne, in 2022.

Only then, was her royal title sworn in via an announcement made by the royal family’s official website.

Previously called “Miss Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor”, the name was updated to “Princess Lilibet of Sussex”.