Prince Harry and Meghan: Sussexes final insult to late Queen that caused heartbreak

Controversy surrounded Prince Harry and Meghan Markle naming their daughter Lilibet in honour of the late Queen’s childhood nickname.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s naming their daughter Lilibet may have broken royal protocol and reportedly angered the late Queen. Lilibet had been the late Queen’s nickname, used by close family, including her late husband, Prince Philip.

It was used because as a toddler the late Queen couldn’t pronounce her name. Royal protocol dictates members of the Royal Family usually share their baby’s name with the monarch before going public with it.

Archewell announced Lilibet’s birth in June 2021, explaining she was named after her great-grandmother. A spokesman for the Sussexes told The Telegraph soon afterwards that Prince Harry had shared his hope of naming his daughter Lilibet in honour of Elizabeth II and if she hadn’t supported the idea they wouldn’t have used the name.

The BBC later reported a Palace source saying the late Queen wasn’t asked, prompting the Sussexes to accuse the broadcaster of libel and sending legal threats to media outlets.

But another Palace source suggested Elizabeth II was “told” of the name after Lilibet was born as opposed to her permission being sought beforehand.

Author Robert Hardman cited a member of the late Queen’s household in his book Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story, where he stated: “One privately recalled that Elizabeth II had been ‘as angry as I’d ever seen her’ in 2021 after the Sussexes announced she had given them her blessing to call their baby daughter ‘Lilibet’.”

The threat of legal action eventually disappeared, with supporters of the Sussexes claiming Palace courtiers may have exaggerated claims the late Queen was angered by the use of the name.