Meghan Markle splashed £5k on gift for Princess Lilibet that she can't use for years

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have had a busy few days celebrating Princess Lilibet's birthday, as she turns three today (June 4), but Meghan has had a special gift tucked away for her daughter for several years.

Before marrying into the Royal Family, Meghan found fame playing Rachel Zane on the legal drama Suits, and after finding out the series had been green-lit for a third season she decided to treat herself.

Back in 2015 the Duchess of Sussex explained she had splashed out on a £5000 Cartier Tank Francaise watch and had a powerful message engraved on it.

She told Hello! magazine: "I've always coveted the Cartier French Tank watch. When I found out Suits had been picked up for our third season – which, at the time, felt like such a milestone – I totally splurged and bought the two-tone version."

On the back of the watch she had 'To M.M. from M.M.' engraved, as she added: "I plan to give it to my daughter one day. That's what makes pieces special, the connection you have to them."

Due to her young age Lilibet is not likely to be given the watch for many years, but when she does she will be touchingly mirrorring her late grandmother Princess Diana.

Prince Harry's mother regularly wore her Cartier Francaise watch on engagements in the 1990s, which was a gift from her father on her 21st birthday.

After her death it was believed Harry inherited it and may have since given it to his wife, as Meghan has been snapped wearing it on some occasions.

The Duchess of Sussex has worn several of Diana's jewellery pieces since her marriage, including an emerald cut aquamarine ring surrounded by solitaire diamonds and set in 24-carat yellow gold.

The ring itself was created by Asprey and worn by Diana in 1997, just months before she was killed in a car accident in Paris alongside Dodi Fayed.

Another of Diana's items worn by Meghan is her £17,000 Cartier tennis bracelet, suggesting both women had similar taste despite never meeting.