In the sun-drenched hills of Montecito, California, where the Sussex family has carved out a serene haven away from the royal spotlight, a tender scene unfolded recently that captures the essence of modern parenthood blended with timeless traditions. Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, renowned for her passion for cooking and entertaining, has been spotted teaching her four-year-old daughter, Princess Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, the art of baking. This intimate mother-daughter activity, shared through glimpses on Meghan’s social media and her Netflix series “With Love, Meghan,” reveals not just a fun kitchen escapade but a deeper inheritance: Lilibet’s emerging dexterity and enthusiasm for culinary creation, traits that echo her mother’s own lifelong love affair with food.

The event, which took place over a lazy weekend in late July 2025, was documented in a series of charming videos and photos posted on Meghan’s Instagram account for her lifestyle brand, As Ever. In one clip, little Lilibet, with her curly locks tied back in a playful ponytail, stands on a step stool beside her mother at the kitchen island. Dressed in matching aprons—Meghan in a crisp white one emblazoned with the As Ever logo, and Lilibet in a pint-sized version dotted with strawberries—the duo embarks on baking a simple yet elegant sponge cake. “Look, Mommy, I can crack the egg!” Lilibet exclaims in her adorable American-accented voice, her small hands carefully tapping an eggshell against the bowl’s edge. Meghan, beaming with pride, guides her gently: “That’s perfect, Lili. Just like that—now whisk it all together.” The video, captioned “Passing on the joy of baking to my little helper,” has garnered millions of views, melting hearts worldwide and sparking conversations about family bonding in the digital age.

This isn’t the first time the public has peeked into the Sussexes’ family kitchen dynamics. Meghan’s Netflix show, which premiered in March 2025, features episodes where she invites friends and experts to explore recipes inspired by her travels, heritage, and everyday life. In one particularly touching segment, Lilibet makes a cameo as a “jam taste tester,” dipping a spoon into a batch of homemade strawberry preserves and declaring, “It’s beautiful, Mommy!” with wide-eyed delight. But the recent baking session elevates this to a new level, showcasing Lilibet’s hands-on involvement. Observers note her surprising coordination for a preschooler—deftly measuring flour with a tiny scoop, stirring batter without spilling, and even decorating the finished cake with fresh berries from their garden. It’s clear the “little princess,” as Meghan affectionately calls her, is inheriting not just titles but talents from her multifaceted mother.

Meghan’s affinity for cooking traces back to her pre-royal days. Born Rachel Meghan Markle on August 4, 1981, in Los Angeles, she grew up in a household where food was a love language. Her mother, Doria Ragland, a yoga instructor and social worker, instilled in her the value of wholesome, home-cooked meals. As a young actress on the hit series “Suits,” Meghan maintained a blog called The Tig, where she shared recipes ranging from acai bowls to zucchini pasta. “Food has always been my way of connecting with people,” she once wrote. After marrying Prince Harry in 2018, she brought this passion to royal duties, co-authoring a cookbook with the Hubb Community Kitchen in London to support Grenfell Tower fire survivors. The book, “Together: Our Community Cookbook,” raised over £500,000 and highlighted Meghan’s belief in food as a tool for empowerment and community.

Post-royalty, in their Montecito estate—a sprawling seven-bedroom home with ocean views and expansive gardens—Meghan has doubled down on this interest. Her lifestyle brand, initially launched as American Riviera Orchard in 2024 and rebranded to As Ever in February 2025, embodies her vision of “timeless elegance in everyday living.” The name “As Ever” draws from a phrase in letters from her late grandmother, symbolizing enduring traditions. The brand’s debut products include artisanal jams, preserves, and baking mixes, with plans for tableware, linens, and even a line of children’s kitchen tools. Insiders say the rebrand was a strategic pivot after trademark hurdles, but it has allowed Meghan to infuse more personal touches, like family-inspired recipes. “Baking with Lili reminds me of afternoons with my own mom,” Meghan shared in a recent interview promoting her Netflix series. “It’s about creating memories that last, one whisk at a time.”

Prince Harry, ever the supportive partner, has been vocal about their family-centric life. In a Father’s Day post in June 2025, he shared rare photos of himself with Archie and Lilibet, including one where he’s helping Lilibet pick vegetables from their chicken coop-adjacent garden. Harry, 40, has emphasized grounding their children despite their “privileged” upbringing. “We want Archie and Lili to understand the value of things,” he said in a podcast appearance. At six years old, Prince Archie Harrison is already showing an inquisitive nature, often joining his sister in kitchen adventures. In the baking video, he pops in to “test” the batter, earning a laugh from Meghan. But it’s Lilibet who steals the show, her nurturing personality shining through as she carefully places berries on the cake, declaring, “This is for Daddy—he loves sweets!”

Experts in child development praise such activities for fostering skills like fine motor control, patience, and creativity. Dr. Elena Vasquez, a pediatric psychologist, notes, “At four, children like Lilibet are sponges for learning. Baking teaches math through measuring, science via chemical reactions, and emotional intelligence by sharing the results. Meghan’s approach—patient, encouraging—models positive parenting.” Indeed, Lilibet’s dexterity is evident: her steady hand with the spatula, her focus on folding ingredients without overmixing. Fans speculate this stems from genetics—Meghan’s own nimble precision in the kitchen, honed from years of recipe testing—or simply from observation. “She’s a mini-Meghan,” one commenter wrote under the video. “That focus, that joy—it’s inherited.”

The family’s Montecito life, a far cry from Windsor’s formalities, allows for these unscripted moments. They moved to California in 2020 after stepping back from royal duties, seeking privacy and autonomy. Their 16-acre property includes a playground, pool, and organic garden where they grow herbs, fruits, and vegetables used in Meghan’s recipes. Neighbors describe them as “down-to-earth,” with Harry often seen biking with the kids and Meghan hosting low-key playdates. Yet, they maintain ties to Britain; Harry has expressed a desire for Archie and Lilibet to experience UK education someday, perhaps at a progressive school emphasizing creativity.

This baking session ties into broader themes in Meghan’s public narrative. Her Netflix show, “With Love, Meghan,” isn’t just about recipes—it’s a “magical guide to hosting,” featuring crafts like floral ice cubes and Epsom bath salts alongside dishes such as single-skillet spaghetti, roasted tomatoes, and honey lemon cake. Critics initially questioned its lack of “actual recipes” in early teasers, but the full series delivered, with episodes blending entertainment and inspiration. One fan-favorite is the “Family Favorites” episode, where Meghan recreates her grandmother’s sponge cake, now adapted with Lilibet’s input: extra berries for color and fun.

The video has sparked a baking boom among followers. Parents share their own mother-child baking stories using #BakeWithMeghan, turning a royal pastime into a global trend. For the Sussexes, it’s about normalcy amid extraordinariness. Lilibet, born June 4, 2021, in Santa Barbara, carries a name honoring Queen Elizabeth II (her great-grandmother’s nickname) and Princess Diana. Though titled a princess since King Charles III’s ascension, she leads a low-profile life, shielded from paparazzi but occasionally glimpsed in joyful family shares.

As the cake emerges from the oven—golden, fluffy, and aromatic—Lilibet claps her hands, her face smeared with flour. “We did it!” she cheers, hugging Meghan’s legs. The Duchess lifts her up, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Yes, we did, my love. And it’s delicious because we made it together.” In that moment, titles fade; it’s just a mom and her daughter, bonded by butter, sugar, and shared dreams.

This heartwarming display underscores Meghan’s evolution from actress to advocate to entrepreneur-mom. Her regrets? None, apparently, when it comes to family time. “Motherhood isn’t what I envisioned—it’s better,” she admitted in a May 2025 podcast. With Lilibet inheriting her culinary flair, the Sussex legacy promises to be flavorful. As Ever, indeed—the brand’s motto—captures this enduring spirit. In a world of fast fame, Meghan and Lilibet’s baking bond reminds us that the sweetest things are homemade, handed down with love.