Meghan Markle Recalls Being 'Overjoyed' And 'Overwhelmed' After Lilibet's Birth In Open Letter

Meghan Markle is sharing her experiences as a parent in an open letter about paid family leave.

In a letter to Congress published Wednesday, the Duchess of Sussex, 40, admitted that she and her husband Prince Harry, 37, were "overwhelmed" when they welcomed their second child, daughter Lilibet Diana, four months ago.

"In June, my husband and I welcomed our second child," wrote Markle, who also shares 2-year-old son Archie with Prince Harry. "Like any parents, we were overjoyed. Like many parents, we were overwhelmed."

Markle noted in her letter that, unlike most parents, she and her husband had the privilege of not having to choose between spending the first few critical months with their newborn or going back to work to put food on the table. She added that they were able to "devote any and everything to" their children "in that vital (and sacred) stage."

The duchess explained that with paid family leave in place, all families would be able to do the same.

"No family should have to choose between earning a living and having the freedom to take care of their child (or a loved one, or themselves, as we would see with a comprehensive paid leave plan)," Markle wrote in the letter Paid Leave for All, the national campaign of organizations fighting for paid family and medical leave in the U.S., shared via their website Wednesday.

While announcing that they welcomed their daughter on June 4, Markle and Prince Harry also revealed their plans to take time away from their nonprofit Archewell to be at home with their children. Employees at Archewell are offered up to 20 weeks of parental leave.

"While the Duke and Duchess are on parental leave, Archewell will continue to do important work and publish stories on the site," read the post shared via Archewell's website at the time.

The couple didn't get to enjoy the same luxury when they welcomed their son Archie in 2019. While Markle took four months of maternity leave, Prince Harry was back to his royal duties just three days after Archie was born, flying to the Netherlands for the Invictus Games, Town & Country noted.

The royal family typically follows the same parental leave as British citizens: six months for maternity and two weeks for paternity.

Markle and Prince Harry have been getting help from her mother, Doria Ragland, when it comes to raising their kids. Ragland, who flew to the U.K. in 2019 when her daughter gave birth to Archie, also helped the couple when they welcomed Lili.

"They’ve had lots of lovely gifts sent from friends and family members including Doria, but the most special thing she’s provided is her time," an unnamed source told Us Weekly in June. "She’s been helping out at the house and her hands-on support is a major bonus. Meghan’s so grateful to have her mom to lean on, and Harry just adores her."

Last month, Markle made her first public appearance since giving birth to her daughter when she and Prince Harry flew to New York City to attend Global Citizen Live, where they promoted vaccine equity.