Archie is ‘very happy’ to have little sister Lilibet Diana, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry spokesperson reveals
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry’s son Archie is very happy to have a little sister, the royal couple’s spokesperson revealed.
Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, who shares Her Majesty’s family nickname, arrived at 11.40am at a Santa Barbara hospital on Friday.
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A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex told People that the two-year-old Archie is “very happy to have a little sister”.
According to a source, Meghan and Harry have been preparing Archie for the arrival of his sister for some time.
“They prepared Archie by talking a lot about the baby. He is too little to understand though,” a source told People.
“He is big enough though that he is now starting to have his own life too.
“He enjoys preschool and outdoor activities. He will have a fun summer.”
Lilibet’s proud parents announced the news on Sunday, saying in a statement: “She is more than we could have ever imagined.”
A source later told US Weekly: “They are already back home in Montecito with their baby girl.
“Archie absolutely adores his little sister and gives her lots of kisses. He’s held her with the help of his parents.”
And it looks like Meghan and Harry will have plenty of time to adjust to being the parents of two kids as it has been reported they will take several months off work for parental leave.
Journalist Omid Scobie said the break could be as long as 20 weeks as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – who offer as many weeks to staff at Archewell – “lead by example”.
He told Good Morning America: “We’re so used to seeing senior royals going back to work but Harry and Meghan are leading by example.
“They offer up to 20 weeks parental leave at Archewell – it’ll be several months off work for the pair of them.”
Lilibet is the Queen’s 11th great-grandchild, joining her big brother Archie, two, and Prince William and Kate Middleton’s brood George, Charlotte and Louis.
As it stands, Lilibet is eighth in line to the throne and sits behind her father Prince Harry, who is sixth in line, and her sibling Archie, who falls just behind Harry in seventh.
Lilibet’s arrival has pushed Prince Andrew, who was born second in line to the throne in 1960, down to ninth place in the Royal Line of Succession.
Harry and Meghan’s daughter was born over in the US, which makes her the most senior royal in the current line of succession to be born overseas.
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A close friend to the couple said that Lilibet’s birth has solidified their roots in the United States.
Speaking to People, a close friend of the Royal couple said that their new addition “completes” their family and that they are are “so happy”.
“This baby solidifies that they are creating roots here in the States,” the friend added.