Lilibet’s Birthday Portrait Taken By Family Friend and Photographer Misson Harriman

Renowned photographer Misson Harriman has taken the birthday portrait of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's daughter, Lilibet, who turned one on June 4th.

The same trusted family friend who took the black and white images that the couple used to announce their pregnancy with Lilibet back in February 2021, Harriman shared a series of three images taken at a casual, intimate backyard picnic hosted by the Sussexes at Frogmore Cottage in Windsor on Saturday in celebration of their daughter's first birthday.

Harriman was invited to attend the small gathering as one of just a handful of select guests, alongside his wife and their two daughters.

Among the images shared by Harriman was a candid, spontaneous shot of Lilibet, which Harry and Meghan chose to share with the world to mark their daughter's milestone birthday.

The Nigerian-born photographer also shared two other images from the party, including a black-and-white photo of proud mother Meghan holding her daughter in her arms while posing alongside Harriman's wife, Camilla Holmström, and their two daughters.

The final image saw Harriman posing with one of his daughters in his lap, and showed the little girl sporting some colourful face paint, which the photographer revealed was one of the highlights of the gathering.

Harriman rose to global acclaim when he became the first black male photographer to shoot a British Vogue cover in September 2020.

The release of the photos marks something of a full-circle moment for Harriman, who not only helped the couple to announce to the world that they were pregnant with Lilibet but also played a hand in introducing them in the first place.

While sharing one of the images from the remote pregnancy shoot, which he shot via iPad from London, while the couple posed in the backyard of their $14 million Montecito mansion, on social media, Harriman, who was a guest at the couple's May 2018 wedding, opened up about the small role he had in bringing the pair together.

According to Finding Freedom, a biography written about Meghan and Harry by their journalist friend Omid Scobie, Harriman even enjoyed dinner with the Duchess of Sussex the night before she went on her first date with her future husband.

It has long been reported that Meghan and Harry were introduced by the Duchess' longtime friend, designer Misha Nuneau, who is based in New York City, but is thought to have been the person who first brought the Sussexes together.

While confirming the couple's pregnancy news, a spokesperson for the Sussexes shared an insight into the close friendship they have with Harriman, saying at the time, the photograph of the Duke and Duchess was taken by the couple's longtime friend Miss Nuneau.

It is not known whether Harriman has had the chance to visit the couple's California home in person, however, he did pay a visit to Los Angeles earlier this year in order to photograph celebrities on the red carpet at Elton John's Academy Awards party.

The couple released a snapshot of Lilibet on Monday, showing the smiling tot at her backyard birthday picnic at Frogmore Cottage in England with close friends and family members.

The photograph has been met with widespread approval and admiration from fans worldwide.

Harriman's latest work has been praised for its natural and authentic feel, capturing the essence of the Sussex family in their private moments.

Fans are eagerly anticipating more work from the talented photographer, whose eye for detail and ability to capture candid moments has made him a favorite among those seeking a unique perspective on the world of photography.

In conclusion, the birthday portrait of Lilibet is a testament to the close friendship between the Sussexes and Misson Harriman, who has played a significant role in capturing some of the most important moments in their lives.

The release of these images has been met with widespread approval and admiration, and fans are eagerly anticipating more work from this talented photographer.