Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have shared two rare never-before-seen family photographs to mark Princess Lilibet’s 5th birthday, but people have been quick to notice one thing missing
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry marked Princess Lilibet‘s 5th birthday by releasing two precious, previously unseen family snaps on Instagram today (June 4). The Duchess of Sussex shared the touching update to commemorate her daughter’s special day. The opening image in the post captures an intimate family scene with Prince Harry lovingly cradling a barefoot Lilibet in his embrace, while Meghan stands nearby with her hand placed on Harry’s shoulder, gazing at her daughter with an affectionate smile.
The second photograph features Lilibet alone, standing without shoes in a bright garden – thought to be at the family’s Montecito, California residence. She’s dressed in a summery frock and stretching out to delicately touch a blue-purple agapanthus bloom.
In keeping with the Duke and Duchess’ approach to their children’s online footprint, Lilibet’s face is mostly turned away or hidden by her flowing ginger locks in the pictures to safeguard her privacy.
Meghan, 44, kept her caption brief and heartfelt, penning: “Our dream girl. Happy 5th birthday, Lili.”
Comments and likes were disabled for the upload, though many have been voicing their thoughts about it on Reddit – with numerous people spotting one notable absence… Prince Archie.
One user posted online: “Poor Archie… Dude’s nowhere to be seen.”
While another questioned: “Where is the boy if it’s a family portrait?”
A third weighed in: “Ah yes, family portrait with one child missing.”
Meanwhile, a fourth chimed in: “Umm…where’s Archie in this family portrait?”
Some also suggested the family appeared “unkempt” in the photo, with numerous comments highlighting Lilibet’s bare feet.
Others noted that the body language seemed ‘off’, as one person penned: “Is it me or does the body language never quite ‘land’ – like bad stock photography?”
Another concurred: “You’re right. It reminds me of an ad. Parents posing so caringly over their child, just before the point where some hair lice product pops up.”
Despite some backlash, others praised the post, as one person wrote about Lilibet on X: “She’s incredibly gorgeous. A princess like no other. A perfect mixture of Princess Diana and Duchess Meghan!”
While another added: “Happy 5th birthday to lovely Princess Lilibet. Such a gorgeous family picture.”
Many others also called them a “beautiful family”.
Meghan’s post arrives just a month after a similar birthday tribute was shared for their eldest child, Prince Archie, who celebrated his seventh birthday in May.
To mark Prince Archie’s 7th birthday on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, Meghan posted a rare, heartfelt tribute on Instagram featuring two previously unseen family photographs.
The first image was a poignant, black-and-white throwback from the time of Archie’s birth in May 2019. It captured a private moment inside Frogmore Cottage, showing Prince Harry fast asleep on a bed with newborn Archie snuggled up and sound asleep on his chest.
The second, more recent photo captures Prince Archie and his younger sister, Princess Lilibet, from behind. They were seen walking side-by-side along a sandy beach near their family home in Montecito, with Archie holding a stick.