The Queen has released a heartfelt response to the arrival of baby Lilibet

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle made headlines this weekend as they announced the news that they had welcomed their baby daughter.

‘It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world,’ read a statement from the now family of four.

Yes, the royal baby is officially here and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have honoured both the Queen and Princess Diana with their baby name choices.

‘Lilibet’ was famously the Queen’s nickname from her parents - a sweet nod to the monarch.

‘Lili was born on Friday June 4 at 11.40am in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California,’ the statement from the Sussex family continued.

‘She weighed 7lbs 11oz (3.5kg). Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home.'

The Queen has responded to the exciting news, releasing a heartfelt statement on behalf of the royal family.

‘Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of Lilibet Diana!’, the Queen posted to social media. ‘The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted with the news. Lilibet is Her Majesty’s 11th great-grandchild.’

Breaking with tradition, the Sussex couple also posted a personal statement, announcing via their Archewell website:

'On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili.'

The statement continued: '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.'

Meghan and Harry first announced that they were expecting a baby on Valentine’s Day, later telling Oprah during their tell-all interview that they were expecting a baby girl.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle already share Archie, who turned two this year, and had previously said in an interview that they would like two children.

‘Having any child, any one or a two would have been amazing,’ Prince Harry explained in the interview with Oprah. ‘But to have a boy and then a girl… now we’ve got our family and we’ve got four of us.’

Well this is lovely.

Huge congratulations to Meghan, Harry and Archie on the new arrival.