Meghan Markle has given birth to a baby girl.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their second child, a girl, into the world on Friday (June 4) at 11:40 in a hospital in Santa Barbara, California, according to a statement on their website Archewell.
'She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home,' the statement reads.
'This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family.'
In another message on the website, the royal couple note of their newborn: '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.'
As a moving tribute to Prince Harry's late mother, the late Princess Diana, and his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, the couple have named their daughter Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
The tot also shares her poignant middle name with her cousin Princess Charlotte.
Following the birth of Lili, the line of succession has now shifted in the royal family. Lili is now eighth in line to the British throne.
The line of succession is now as follows:
1. The Prince of Wales
2. The Duke of Cambridge
3. Prince George of Cambridge
4. Princess Charlotte of Cambridge
5. Prince Louis of Cambridge
6. The Duke of Sussex
7. Archie Mountbatten-Windsor
8. Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor
9. The Duke of York
10. Princess Beatrice, Mrs. Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi
In their message on Archewell, the couple also ask well wishers wanting to send gifts to 'support or learn more about these organizations working for women and girls: Girls Inc., Harvest Home, CAMFED or Myna Mahila Foundation'.
The pair also confirmed they will be taking parental leave. 'While the Duke and Duchess are on parental leave, Archewell will continue to do important work and publish stories on the site. We look forward to seeing you!'
This birth announcement comes months after the couple revealed the sex of their second child during their interview with Oprah Winfrey.
'To have a boy and then a girl, what more could you ask for?' said Harry of the news.
After stepping away from their roles as senior royals in spring of 2020 the pair suffered a miscarriage, which the Duchess of Sussex penned a New York Times article about in November of the same year.
The 39-year-old became pregnant at the end of last year, with the royal couple announcing the news of her pregnancy on Valentine's Day.
'We can confirm Archie is going to be a big brother,' a spokesperson for the couple told the BBC. 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are overjoyed to be expecting their second child.'
A black and white photograph, taken by photographer Misan Harriman, accompanied the official announcement.
'Meg, I was there at your wedding to witness this love story begin, and my friend, I am honoured to capture it grow, [sic]' Harriman commented in a caption sharing the photo on her Instagram page. 'Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on this joyous news!'
Congratulations to the Duke and Duchess. We can't wait to see what little Lili is like!
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Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
