In a heartwarming moment that has captivated royal enthusiasts worldwide, a recently shared photograph of Princess Lilibet, the four-year-old daughter of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has gone viral for its striking resemblance to a childhood photo of her father. The side-by-side comparison, which highlights their shared red hair, sparkling blue eyes, and identical cheeky smiles, has sent social media into a frenzy, with fans declaring Lilibet the “spitting image” of her dad. The discovery has not only delighted royal watchers but also underscored the enduring strength of the Spencer family’s genetic legacy, leaving many in awe of the uncanny similarities between the father and daughter.

A Viral Moment Born from a Family Snapshot

The viral moment began when Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, shared a new photo of Princess Lilibet on her Instagram account to celebrate her daughter’s fourth birthday on June 4, 2025. The black-and-white image, captured by the ocean, showed Meghan cuddling Lilibet, whose long, fiery red hair was windswept and unmistakable. Fans immediately noticed the resemblance to Prince Harry, prompting a flurry of comparisons to a well-known childhood photo of the Duke of Sussex from the late 1980s, when he was around the same age as Lilibet. In the throwback image, a young Harry, held by his late mother, Princess Diana, sported the same vibrant red hair and mischievous grin that now define his daughter.

The side-by-side comparison, first posted by a royal fan account on X, quickly gained traction, amassing thousands of likes, retweets, and comments. “Lilibet is literally Prince Harry’s mini-me!” one user exclaimed. Another wrote, “Those Spencer genes are unreal—same hair, same smile, same sparkle in the eyes!” The post sparked a wave of nostalgia, with fans digging up additional photos of Harry as a toddler to highlight the parallels. From their identical auburn curls to their shared expressions of curiosity, the resemblance was undeniable, prompting widespread admiration and emotional reactions across social media platforms.

The Power of the Spencer Genes

The striking resemblance between Lilibet and Harry has been attributed to the strong genetic influence of the Spencer family, Princess Diana’s lineage. Harry himself has often spoken about the dominance of the “ginger gene,” a trait he inherited from his mother’s side. In a 2023 appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, he humorously remarked, “The Spencer gene is very, very strong. I genuinely thought at the beginning of my relationship with Meghan that there’s no way the ginger gene will stand up to my wife’s genes, but I was wrong!”

This genetic legacy is evident not only in Lilibet but also in her older brother, Prince Archie, who also sports red hair. Geneticists explain that red hair, caused by a mutation in the MC1R gene, is a recessive trait that requires both parents to carry the gene for it to appear in their children. While Meghan does not have red hair herself, her diverse ancestry likely includes carriers of the recessive allele, allowing both Archie and Lilibet to inherit their father’s distinctive look. “The fact that both children have red hair is a testament to the strength of Harry’s genetic contribution,” says Dr. Emily Carter, a geneticist specializing in hereditary traits. “It’s a beautiful example of how recessive traits can manifest across generations.”

The Spencer family’s red hair has long been a topic of fascination. Harry’s uncle, Charles Spencer, and aunt, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, both exhibited reddish hues in their youth, and Diana herself, though blonde, carried the genetic markers for the trait. Lilibet’s vibrant locks, often described as “strawberry blonde” or “golden orange,” have become a focal point of the viral comparison, with fans noting how her hair flows in the same loose, curly pattern as Harry’s did at her age.

Social Media’s Emotional Response

The online reaction to the photo comparison has been overwhelmingly positive, with royal fans expressing both awe and affection. On X, users shared side-by-side images with captions like, “Lilibet is Harry’s twin from another era!” and “The Spencer genes are serving looks and legacy!” Others highlighted the emotional significance of the resemblance, with one user writing, “Seeing Lilibet look so much like Harry must mean so much to him, especially with Diana’s memory in their red hair.” The outpouring of support reflects the public’s enduring fascination with the Sussex family, who, despite stepping back from royal duties in 2020, remain a focal point of global interest.

Some fans also drew comparisons to other royals, noting that Lilibet’s appearance echoes that of her cousin, Princess Charlotte, and even Princess Eugenie as a child. A 1992 photo of Eugenie, shared by Marie Claire, showed her with similar strawberry-blonde hair and facial features, leading some to speculate that Lilibet could be mistaken for her father’s cousin in throwback images. However, the consensus among fans is that Lilibet’s resemblance to Harry is the most striking, with her “cheeky smile” and “curious eyes” mirroring his toddler portraits almost exactly.

The viral moment has also reignited discussions about the Sussexes’ decision to keep their children largely out of the public eye. Unlike their cousins, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, who frequently appear at official royal events, Archie and Lilibet lead private lives in Montecito, California. Meghan and Harry have shared only a handful of photos of their children, often in celebration of milestones like birthdays or holidays. The rarity of these glimpses makes each new image a significant event, amplifying the public’s excitement and scrutiny.

A Family Legacy in Focus

For Prince Harry, the resemblance between himself and Lilibet is more than just a physical similarity—it’s a poignant connection to his late mother. In his memoir Spare, Harry wrote about the pain of being defined by his red hair, which fueled unfounded rumors about his paternity during his childhood. The confirmation that both Archie and Lilibet inherited this trait has been a source of pride for him, serving as a tangible link to Diana and the Spencer family. “Harry sees his mum in his kids,” a source close to the Sussexes told PEOPLE. “The red hair, the playful spirit—it’s like Diana’s legacy lives on through them.”

Meghan has also embraced this connection, often highlighting her children’s resemblance to Harry in her social media posts. In a March 2025 Instagram post celebrating International Women’s Day, she shared a photo of Lilibet curled up with Harry, captioning it, “Celebrating the strong women around us & the girls with dreams who will become women with vision.” The image, which showed Lilibet’s red hair cascading over her father’s shoulder, further fueled comparisons to Harry’s childhood photos.

The viral photo comparison has also sparked conversations about the broader implications of royal genetics. Royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop noted, “The Sussex children’s appearance is a reminder of how family legacies endure, even as Harry and Meghan forge a new path outside the monarchy. Lilibet’s resemblance to Harry is a powerful symbol of continuity.” The public’s fascination with these similarities reflects a deeper interest in how royal identities are shaped, both by genetics and by the choices of those who carry them forward.

The Sussexes’ Private World

The viral reaction to Lilibet’s photo underscores the delicate balance Harry and Meghan maintain between privacy and public engagement. Since moving to California, the couple has prioritized shielding Archie and Lilibet from the intense media scrutiny they themselves faced as royals. Yet, their selective sharing of family moments—through Instagram, their Netflix series With Love, Meghan, and their 2024 Christmas card—has allowed fans to feel connected to their journey. The Christmas card, which featured Lilibet running toward Harry with her red hair flowing, was particularly poignant, capturing the joy and normalcy of their family life in Montecito.

Meghan’s lifestyle brand, As Ever, has also provided a platform for sharing glimpses of her children. In a February 2025 post, Lilibet appeared alongside her mother in a photo for the brand’s launch, walking hand-in-hand across a grassy field. The image, which highlighted Lilibet’s red hair against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean, was praised for its warmth and authenticity. “Meghan’s sharing these moments strategically,” says royal commentator Kristen Meinzer. “It’s about showing their kids as part of their story, not as public figures.”

A Lasting Impression

The viral comparison of Lilibet and Harry’s childhood photos has left an indelible mark on royal fans, who continue to marvel at the power of genetics and the emotional weight of family ties. For Harry and Meghan, the moment is a celebration of their daughter’s unique identity and a reminder of the legacy they are building together. As one X user put it, “Lilibet looking like Harry is the sweetest proof that love and family triumph over everything.”

As the Sussexes continue to navigate their post-royal lives, Lilibet’s resemblance to her father serves as a bridge between past and present, connecting Harry’s childhood to the future he is creating with his own children. The viral photo comparison, while a fleeting moment in the digital age, has resonated deeply, reminding the world that even in the midst of change, some things—like the bond between a father and daughter—remain timeless.