No baby gifts for Lilibet Diana? Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have a better idea

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's baby has arrived and Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor has been joyfully received by both family and fans. But baby gifts, say the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, are off the table. 

• On June 4, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their second child, Lilibet Diana at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, California.
• The two, who shared the news on their Archewell Foundation website, asked fans to refrain from sending gifts.
• In other royal news, it seems Kate Middleton and Prince William Scotland trips could become more frequent—here's why. 

Lilibet Diana is, according to her mom and dad, "more than we could have ever imagined." 

The arrival of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's daughter has made headlines around the globe, as the birth of any royal baby would. It's also not uncommon for people to send the new arrivals gifts. When Lilibet's cousin Prince George was born in 2013, he received 706 gifts. And back in 1982, George's father, Prince William, received over 4,200. But Harry and Meghan have asked well wishers  to lend a hand, rather than to make or purchase presents. 

"For those inquiring on sending gifts, we would ask that you support or learn more about these organizations working for women and girls: Girls Inc., Harvest Home, CAMFED or Myna Mahila Foundation," a statement on the Archewell Foundation read. 

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are involved with many philanthropic efforts, including co-chairing the Vax Live concert in the U.S. So it isn't surprising the two would want to mark the birth of their daughter in a way that mirrors their values. 

But there's another reason, too. Little Prince George wasn't able to play with any of the 706 presents sent to mark his birth, nor with any of the further hundreds of gifts the couple were given later on royal tours. Official Royal protocol bans the family from accepting unsolicited gifts - most of what they receive will be donated to hospitals and charities. 

"It's just a common practice in the royal household," Dickie Arbiter, a former press secretary to the Queen told The Sun, after the birth of Prince Louis in 2018. "There are just so many repercussions." 

So, although Meghan and Harry have distanced themselves from the royal family, they are still sticking to this sensible tradition.

Family members are also celebrating the little one's arrival with sweet notes: Kate Middleton and Prince William's congratulatory post on Instagram read, "We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili. Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie." 

Meanwhile, Princess Eugenie's response to Lilibet's birth was: "Congratulations dear cousins . . we couldn’t be happier for you all."

Lilibet's name holds a special meaning, and we know she'll be an inspiration for many of her parents' future endeavors.