Lilibet’s first photo released: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s daughter smiles in Christmas snap

Lilibet Diana can be seen beaming as she is tossed into the air by Meghan Markle in a new Christmas card snap released by the Sussexes today.

Prince Harry, 37, and Meghan, 40, who are currently living in their $14 million mansion in California having stepped back from royal duty, have never shared a photograph of their daughter with the public before.

In the snap, the little six-month-old can be seen sharing a smile with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex as she is lifted into the air by her mother.  

She is wearing a white frilly top with a scalloped hem in the image, as well as a plain white nappy. 

Six-month-old Lilibet Diana can be seen beaming as she is tossed into the air by Meghan Markle, 40, in a new Christmas card snap released by the Sussexes today

The six-month-old, who showed off a gummy smile in the picture, also appears to share her father Harry and brother Archie’s shock of red hair. 

Today marks the first time royal fans have been able to see Lilibet’s face. 

Meghan is thought to have revealed a grainy first photograph of her second child after a framed picture of Prince Harry kissing a newborn baby took pride of place on her desk in a video for her 40th birthday.

Three further black and white photos could be seen in a connected frame in front of this, with the central one seeming to show Harry kissing a baby and one on the right potentially showing Meghan holding a young child.

Today marks the first time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have ever shared a photograph of their daughter with the public  

Lilibet – whose middle name is Diana – was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in June.

The name Lilibet was coined by the Queen and used by her younger sister Margaret and their parents.

George VI once said: ‘Lilibet is my pride. Margaret is my joy.’

It is understood the Queen was informed by Prince Harry that her great grandchild would be named in her honour, ahead of their official announcement which was made on their official website.

However, Buckingham Palace appeared to be caught off guard by the timing of the Sussexes’ news with a spokesman for the palace congratulating the couple 90 minutes after the announcement broke. 

Prince Harry and Meghan announced they were expecting their second child, a daughter, in March this year (pictured with Archie) 

Meanwhile questions remain over when the Queen will ever meet her great-granddaughter face-to-face.

In August, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliam told the Express the couple will ‘do things their own way’ with their daughter Lilibet.

He said: ‘It seems certain that her christening will be in Meghan’s home state and with the secrecy but without the controversy that surrounded Archie’s christening.’  

The new family image shows Meghan, holding up their giggling daughter, while smiling Harry, looks on with his arm around their two-year-old son Archie in the portrait by Alexi Lubomirski, who shot the couple’s engagement photos and the official family portraits on their wedding day.

The only previous picture of Lilibet (centre) that’s been seen is a very grainy black and white photo on Meghan’s desk during her 40th birthday video call with Melissa McCarthy

Archie, who looks just like his dad with a shock of red hair, is casually dressed in jeans like the rest of the family, and his face is on show unlike other pictures shared by Harry and Meghan, where they have only shown the youngster from behind.

The Sussexes, who are currently residing in a $14.7million mansion in Montecito, released the card to announce they’ve made a donation to several charities, including an organisation that supports Afghan families left behind after the US withdrawal and Paid Leave For All, in line with the Duchess’ recent campaigning for a paid family leave law for all Americans.

‘This year we welcomed out daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a “Mama and Papa” and Lili made us a family,’ their message read. 

‘As we look forward to 2022 we have made donations on your behalf to several organizations that honor and protect families – from those being relocated from Afhghanistan to American famiilies in need of paid parental leave.’

It comes as the couple – who used the American ‘Happy Holidays’ phrase rather than the British ‘Merry Christmas’ in their card – prepare to spend their third festive period outside of the UK, and away from Prince Harry’s family. 

In the photograph, Harry, Meghan and Archie all opt for a low-key look in denim jeans, with the Duchess teaming hers with a navy jumper, while the Duke wears a blue shirt and his son a white one. 

Today’s card marks a change for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who have hidden their children’s faces in recent photographs. 

Archie has rarely been seen since the couple stepped back as senior royals in March last year, with the most recent picture of him released to mark his second birthday this May showing him with his back to the camera.

During the Oprah Winfrey interview and Prince Harry’s mental health documentary, he made an appearance but royal fans were only be able to get a glimpse of the youngster’s face.