Breaking News:Meghan Markle’s pal reveals the phase Lilibet, three, is going through “It’s a difficult stage, and her parents are not helping because of their absent lifestyle”..See More 👇

Meghan Markle’s daughter Lilibet is in her ‘princess phase’, the Duchess of Sussex previously revealed to chef and friend Adrian Lipscombe.

The Texas native’s reveal was part of an impassioned defence of Meghan in the wake of what she said was a ‘sensationalist’ critique of the Duchess’ as-yet unreleased Netflix show.

Meghan, 43, kicked off the New Year by unveiling her new lifestyle series ‘With Love, Meghan’ that will be released by the streamer on January 15.

In the first trailer for the programme, Meghan can be seen cooking in a Montecito kitchen, picking produce from her garden and chatting with very famous pals including Mindy Kaling while The Lovin’ Spoonful’s Do You Believe in Magic plays over the top.

Ahead of the series premiere, Vox Media-owned food publication Eater published an article titled ‘I’m Already Bored by Meghan Markle’s New Netflix Cooking Series’ that criticised the Duchess’ bid to reinvigorate her lifestyle brand ten years after she shut down her now-defunct blog ‘The Tig’.

Reacting to what she called a premature criticism of Meghan’s show, Lipscombe defended the Duchess and her forthcoming show in an Instagram post on Sunday.

Alongside a screenshot of the Eater piece, Lipscombe wrote: ‘How are you going to criticise someone or judge a TV show before it has even aired?’

Praising Meghan and her ‘well-known significant other’ Prince Harry, 40, as ‘some of the most down-to-earth people I’ve ever met’, Lipscombe also revealed she bonded with the Duchess about both their daughters being in a ‘princess phase’.

Recalling their meeting, she wrote: ‘We talked about our families (mostly about our daughters being in their princess phase and the movies they love) and, of course, about food.

‘She didn’t rush the conversation, even though I was taking up her time. She was gracious, engaged, and kind,’ Lipscombe continued.

MailOnline has contacted Eater for comment.

The update about Princess Lilibet, now three, comes weeks after Prince Harry and Meghan released their holiday card featuring a sweet photograph of the family-of-four.

One of the pictures featured on the festive card showed Princess Lilibet running into Prince Harry’s waiting arms, while Meghan held her arms open for a hug from Prince Archie, now five.

Reposting the Sussexes’ festive card, one X user wrote: ‘Look at Lili’s long hair!’

Another comment read: ‘Look at Lilibet’s red waves! Perfect mix of H&M!’

The owner of Wisconsin-based Uptowne Cafe & Bakery, Lipscombe appears to have met Harry and Meghan at the SXSW festival held in Austin, Texas, last March.

Sharing pictures from the International Women’s Day Event on Instagram at the time, Lipscombe said she was ‘honoured’ to meet the Sussexes and talk about ‘our children and their love for certain things’.

Alongside a selfie with the Duchess, she wrote: ‘I cannot tell you how amazing and down to Earth The Duchess and Duke are.’

Meghan addressed the SXSW festival as part of a star-studded keynote panel, alongside actress Brooke Shields and author Katie Couric, on the occasion of International Women’s Day.

‘Thank you to the Duchess for taking the time to come speak, and what wonderful moment on International Women’s Day,’ Lipscombe praised Meghan’s appearance.

The Duchess brought in the New Year by relaunching her official Instagram account one day before she announced ‘With Love, Meghan’ that is part of her and Prince Harry’s multimillion-dollar deal to produce content for Netflix.

Posting the trailer on her Instagram account, Meghan wrote: ‘I have been so excited to share this with you! I hope you love the show as much as I loved making it.

‘Wishing you all a fantastic new year! Thanks to our amazing crew and the team. Beyond grateful for the support – and fun!’

She signed off: ‘As ever, Meghan.’