Barefoot Princess Lilibet, 5, debuts longest red hair yet – with gold jewellery

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter was pictured strolling barefoot through the garden at their Montecito home in her summery birthday dress

Meghan Markle’s daughter Lilibet ginger hair

 

he Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s fifth birthday photos of Princess Lilibet are a striking testament to the saying, ‘Like mother, like daughter.’

Not only did the young princess rewear one of her favourite sundresses, proving her credentials as a sustainable fashion advocate, but she also accessorised her look with gold jewellery, just like her mother.

“Our dream girl. Happy 5th birthday, Lili,” Meghan captioned the Instagram photos, which appear to have been taken at their home in Montecito, the Chateau of Riven Rock.

In a whimsical photo taken outside as Lilibet admired the flowers, the barefoot five-year-old wore a Cult Gaia beige dress with a shirred top and a summery skirt featuring embroidered flowers. The sold-out frock, known as the ‘Lola’, was first debuted by Lilibet in March when she was spotted whispering to her mother and sitting under the table in a behind-the-scenes video for Meghan’s As Ever brand.

With her back to the camera as she cuddled up to dad Prince Harry in another birthday photo, Lilibet offered a better look at her tumbling red hair, which fell in soft waves, and the gold bangle on her left wrist.

Princess Lilibet walking barefoot in the garden looking at flowers© Instagram
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle shared photos of their daughter to mark her 5th birthday

Former Suits actress Meghan often wears gold jewellery rather than silver, with Harry stating that it’s “her favourite” as he explained the engagement ring he designed in 2017. Since then, Meghab has regularly donned her beloved $7,000 Cartier Love bracelet and her $27,000 Cartier Tank Francaise bracelet watch, which was passed down from his late mother, Princess Diana.

Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, smiling and holding a young girl.© Instagram
Princess Lilibet wore a gold bracelet in one snap

Family resemblance

Princess Lilibet looked to be enjoying the flowery activity© @Meghan
Princess Lilibet first wore the sundress in a BTS photo of Meghan filming for As Ever

The Sussexes are also parents to son Archie, seven, whom they welcomed before stepping down as senior royals and relocating to the US in 2020.

Both Archie and Lilibet have inherited their father’s red hair, much to Prince Harry’s surprise.

During an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Harry said of his mother Princess Diana’s family, “The Spencer gene is very, very strong. I actually really, genuinely thought at the beginning of my relationship [with Meghan] that, should this go the distance and we have kids, that there’s no way the ginger gene will stand up to my wife’s genes – but I was wrong!”

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet wearing Mickey/Minnie Mouse caps© Instagram
Prince Harry said his kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet have inherited the Spencer genes

While Archie’s has darkened to a soft auburn colour in recent photos taken during the family’s Disneyland trip, his younger sister continues to have beautiful pale red hair.

Aside from the colour, Harry confessed they have inherited some physical similarities to their stunning mother.

“Archie and Lili have been blessed with their mother’s thick hair,” he told HELLO!’s Chief Content Officer Sophie Vokes-Dudgeon at the 2024 WellChild Awards.

She added that Harry confessed: “It won’t be long until Lili can sit on hers,” during their “animated” conversation ahead of the event.