Happy birthday Princess Lilibet! How the Sussexes will celebrate Lili turning 2 with an 'all-American' bash compared to last year's 'relaxed' picnic at Frogmore Cottage, according to royal expert

As Princess Lilibet celebrates her second birthday, her parents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will no doubt be marking the occasion in an unforgettable way.

After she was born in June 2021 when the Sussexes were living in Montecito, California, Lilibet Diana has spent most of her life in the US and has only met her father's side of the family once - during Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee last year, which fell on her first birthday.

A royal expert has claimed that, after celebrating her first birthday party in Frogmore Cottage in Windsor, Lili's second birthday will be an 'all-American affair'.

Although few details of the young princess's life have been shared by the Sussexes, it emerged earlier this year that she had been christened in an intimate ceremony with a party held at the Sussexes' £12million ($14million) mansion.

And last year, adorable photos were shared of Lilibet celebrating her summer birthday in the grounds of Frogmore Cottage with friends - including pal of the Sussexes, photographer Misan Harriman.

Princess Lilibet will be celebrating her second birthday today, after marking her first birthday in Frogmore Cottage last year (pictured) while the family was in the UK for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee

Princess Lilibet will be celebrating her second birthday today, after marking her first birthday in Frogmore Cottage last year (pictured) while the family was in the UK for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee

Royal expert Jennie Bond told OK! Magazine Lilibet's second birthday might be a star-studded affair in the US.

She said: 'I would expect to see a sprinkling of celebrities and a laid-back party, which hopefully will include some other toddlers.

'It would be nice to think the day might include a video call to Lilibet's grandfather, King Charles and hopefully some sort of gift has been arranged and will be delivered to Montecito for her birthday.'

In March, the Sussexes confirmed Princess Lilibet had been christened in Montecito, California, after reports of an 'intimate' gathering at the Sussexes' mansion appeared in People Magazine.

It was also confirmed that King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Prince and Princess of Wales were invited to the event but did not attend.

Photos shared by pal of the Sussexes and professional photographer Misan Harriman include a snap of Meghan holding Lilibet while standing with the photographer's wife Camilla Holmstroem and their two daughters

Photos shared by pal of the Sussexes and professional photographer Misan Harriman include a snap of Meghan holding Lilibet while standing with the photographer's wife Camilla Holmstroem and their two daughters

Lilibet's stunning birthday cake, adorned with peonies, was the same flavour as at the Sussexes' wedding but was covered with strawberry buttercream

Lilibet's stunning birthday cake, adorned with peonies, was the same flavour as at the Sussexes' wedding but was covered with strawberry buttercream

People reported that there were between 20 and 30 guests at the event, including Meghan's mother Doria Ragland and Lilibet's godfather Tyler Perry. 

They were serenaded by a gospel choir, who are believed to have performed Oh Happy Day and This Little Light of Mine — a song that was played at Meghan and Harry's wedding.

Meanwhile an insider revealed that after the ceremony, 'attendees were treated to an afternoon of food and dancing — with Archie enjoying a dance with his little sister!'

Although senior members of the royal family were not in attendance, some of Lili's paternal relatives were reportedly at the intimate bash, according to reports at the time.

Princess Diana's older sisters, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, were among the guests, Marie Claire reported.

Both Harry and William have remained close with their aunts and uncle on their mother's side since the death of Princess Diana in 1997.

The Duke of Sussex was last pictured alongside his aunts in 2021 when he and the Prince of Wales joined together to unveil a statue of their late mother at Kensington Palace.

Both Harry and William were pictured warmly greeting Lady Sarah and Lady Jane with kisses and hugs. 

Few details were given about Lilibet's christening but it was held in the plush, chic home of Harry and Meghan in Santa Barbara, California, of which royal fans saw glimpses in the couple's Netflix documentary. Pictured: Meghan with Lilibet as a newborn

Few details were given about Lilibet's christening but it was held in the plush, chic home of Harry and Meghan in Santa Barbara, California, of which royal fans saw glimpses in the couple's Netflix documentary. Pictured: Meghan with Lilibet as a newborn

This time last year, the Sussexes held a 'relaxed' first birthday party for Lilibet in the garden of Frogmore Cottage which involved a birthday cake, balloons, party games and picnic snacks.

Those who were said to have also been at Frogmore Cottage includes Zara and Mike Tindall's three children, Mia, eight, Lena, three, and Lucas, one, as well as Savannah, 11, and Isla, 10, daughters of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly.

Three-year-old Archie's godfather, Charlie Van Straubenzee, and his brother Tom, godfather to Princess Charlotte, were also invited, it is understood.

Among the gifts were apparently a pastel pink VW Beetle ride-on car, £75 from Selfridges, while Sussex supporters donated $100,000 to charity in her honour. Prince Charles may have bought her a swing similar to one he bought for Prince George - after an aide to the Sussexes was seen unloading it from their private jet in Santa Barbara.

Photos from the event included a sweet snap of the tot sitting on the lawn outside Frogmore Cottage, smiling in the sunshine, which was taken by Misan Harriman.

Another photo from the event showed Meghan carrying Lilibet as they posed with the photographer's wife Camilla Holmstroem, a former Goldman Sachs banker turned entrepreneur, and their two daughters, who both had their faces painted, one of the activities laid on for guests. 

But while Mr Harriman also shared a picture of him smiling with his eldest child on Instagram and Twitter, there were no pictures of Harry and Archie released.

East London baker Claire Ptak – who made the couple’s wedding cake in 2018 – created new treats for the low-key bash. She later shared a picture of a small peony-covered cake that could be the one enjoyed by guests. 

In another post, Claire revealed a second photo of the three-tier cake which had her name written on a flag which had been stuck into the dessert.

She revealed it was flavoured with lemon and elderflower, the same as the Sussexes' wedding cake in 2018, but had been covered with strawberry buttercream especially for the birthday girl. 

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