The Duke and Duchess of Sussex enjoyed a Valentine's Day to themselves this year, but Meghan Markle did take to Instagram to post a special family tribute. "These two + Archie = my forever Valentines," she penned, captioning a photo taken at her Montecito mansion, where Prince Harry stood in their sprawling garden holding the couple's daughter, Princess Lilibet, who held a bunch of red balloons.
In the rare photo of Princess Lilibet, the four-year-old looked like a tiny ballerina in a soft pink top with a tiny floaty skirt. She also wore baby pink ballet tights, and her auburn hair was loose – and it has grown so long!
© InstagramTiny balletcore
Ballet-style clothing is so cute on little girls, but in 2025, it also became a hugely popular aesthetic among the celebrity style set and on the high street, with ballet pumps becoming a staple footwear choice for the warmer months. It seems it's even popular among young royals.
© GettyLaura Sutcliffe, HELLO!'s Fashion and Beauty News Editor, tells us of Lilibet rocking the trend: "It's so lovely to see little Lilibet embracing balletcore! The young royal is wearing a traditional ballet outfit in her most recent picture, which includes blush pink tights, a little flared skirt, and what looks to be a classic wraparound cardigan.
"Although this could be specific dance class attire, ballet clothes for everyday are a lovely choice for little girls as they are fun, cute, and easy to wear, yet are still presentable," she adds.
© Reiss"Lots of brands have taken on this trend in their main collections, from Monsoon to M&S, who have sugary pink items this season. Reiss even has a Royal Ballet collection, featuring the 'Royal Ballet Skirt Trousers in Mauve' (£28) that includes outfits very like Lilibet's. I think it's age-appropriate and adorable."
Lili's passion for ballet
There's every likelihood that Lili, as she is known by her family, was dressed in a ballet outfit as she had just come in from a dance class. During a visit to Nigeria in May 2024, Meghan and Harry visited the Lightway Academy school. Harry asked the students, "Is singing and dancing your favourite class?" and Meghan added: "That's Lili's favourite class...maybe it's all the jumping around!"
© @meghanA love of ballet certainly runs in the family. Lili's cousin, the Prince and Princess of Wales' daughter, 10-year-old Princess Charlotte, is also a keen ballerina. "My daughter Charlotte likes dancing. She loves ballet and tap," Kate told a little girl and her grandad, who is a worker at Standfast & Barracks, during her visit to the printworks in 2023. "Keep up the dancing."
Lili's tiny dress collection
Prior to her appearance in Meghan's Valentine's Day post, Lili was last seen on Meghan's Instagram in December. Featuring in the Sussex family Christmas card for 2025, Lili wore the cutest dusty blue and white floral tea dress and capped-toe ballet pumps in silver.
© InstagramShe also wore little knee-high socks, much like the pair that Prince Louis wore during Trooping the Colour in 2023. High socks have long been a feature of traditional royal child dressing, though it is more common among little boys.
