Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are celebrating the arrival of their new baby girl, Lilibet
Diana, and they're asking fans to mark the occasion with them, too — not by sending
presents, but by doing something far more important.
In the press release announcing the birth of Lilibet Diana, the couple informed the
public that their daughter came into the world on Friday, June 4th, 2021. Harry and Meghan
also went out of their way to thank followers for their on-going support, saying:
"Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for
our family."
Notably, Buckingham Palace was one of the first institutions to celebrate the birth
of Lilibet Diana via tweet, indicating that:
"The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
are delighted with the news."
Princess Eugenie, with whom Harry stayed while in the U.K. this past April, also congratulated
Harry and Meghan via an Instagram story, in which she wrote:
"We couldn't be happier for you all."
Meghan's friend and the couple's recent confidant Oprah likely marked the birth with a special
gift too, considering she gave baby Archie a whole library of books when he was born.
Meanwhile, according to an insider who spoke to Us Weekly, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
are rumored to have sent a gift to their new niece, too. It's not clear when the entire
royal family is expected to meet baby Lili in person, although both Meghan and Harry
are expected to attend Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee next summer.
As for those who want to send more than just their well-wishes? Well, the Duke and Duchess
of Sussex have issued guidance for them on their Archwell Foundation website, writing:
"For those inquiring on sending gifts, we would ask that you support or learn more about
these organizations working for women and girls: Girls Inc., Harvest Home, CAMFED or
Myna Mahila Foundation."
The organizations named in the couple's request all work towards improving the lives of women
across the world. Through education and funding, they raise funds for women experiencing homelessness
or a lack of opportunity. Notably, these are all causes that Meghan championed during her
pregnancy with Lilibet Diana. In her appearance at the Global Citizen's VAX Live concert in
May, Meghan referenced her baby-to-be:
"When we think of her, we think of all the young women and girls around the globe who
must be given the ability and the support to lead us forward."
The Duchess of Sussex's dedication to women's rights issues predates her second pregnancy,
of course. She spent much of her time as a working royal to — as Markle herself once
put it — "shine a light on women feeling empowered."
Even if Lilibet Diana were to receive presents, royal protocol around unsolicited gift-giving
is complicated, at best. Buckingham Palace stipulates that:
"No gifts, including hospitality or services, should be accepted which would, or might appear
to, place the Member of The Royal Family under any obligation to the donor."
Perhaps because of this rule, this isn't the first time that the couple has asked supporters
to donate to causes important to them in order to mark a special occasion. When Prince Harry
and Meghan Markle's son Archie turned two in May 2021, they sent a shout-out to fans
asking them to donate to the global vaccine effort against COVID-19. Cosmopolitan quoted
a source close to the couple as saying:
"They want Archie to grow up understanding the importance of giving back. Harry and Meghan
feel so blessed to have such an articulate and caring child."
Before becoming a royal, however, Meghan marked special occasions in a wholly different way.
In 2015, after Meghan's show Suits had been renewed for Season 3, she picked up a brand
new Cartier French Tank Watch. In a later interview, she admitted:
"I totally splurged and bought the two-tone version. I had it engraved on the back, 'To
M.M. From M.M.' and I plan to give it to my daughter one day. That's what makes pieces
special, the connection you have to them."
And since Harry also has his mother's Cartier Tank piece, it appears that, if nothing else,
Lilibet Diana is set to become the proud owner of two very expensive watches.
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