In June 2021, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their second child, a daughter named Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. The name immediately raised eyebrows as "Lilibet" was the childhood nickname used by close relatives of Queen Elizabeth II. In their birth announcement, Harry and Meghan stated that Lili was "named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen", leading many to assume the Queen had approved the name usage.
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However, shortly after, conflicting reports emerged. Some royal commentators doubted whether the Queen had actually been asked for permission to use such a private nickname. A "palace source" even told the BBC that the Queen had "never been asked" about the name. Harry and Meghan's lawyers quickly responded, insisting that Harry had spoken to the Queen before the birth and she was the first family member informed of the name plans as reported by Daily express.
The naming controversy quieted down in subsequent months. But over two years later, it has now erupted again with the release of an updated biography of the Queen. The book's author quoted an anonymous senior palace staff member who said the late monarch was "as angry as I've ever seen her" over how Harry and Meghan handled the Lilibet situation.
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The quote has sparked a flurry of media coverage reexamining the naming drama. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams said this revelation, if true, would highlight a "deep rift" between Harry/Meghan and other family members. He points to the great personal significance of 'Lilibet' for the Queen, originating from her childhood. Another commentator argues that the Queen would have seen the Sussexes' public announcement as presumptuous, rather than asking politely in private.
In response, Harry and Meghan allegedly approached the Palace asking them to publicly back up claims that the Queen had indeed given her blessing. According to reports, they were "rebuffed" - suggesting the monarch and her staff were still furious over the events.
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The naming controversy seems to have left scars on both sides. For Harry and Meghan, they felt unfairly attacked over a touching tribute to Her Majesty. But for the Queen, Lilibet was an intimate family nickname that she reportedly felt the Sussexes had appropriated without adequate consent.
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As with many royal disputes, the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle. Regardless, it's another example of the underlying tensions between the Sussexes and the Palace - foreshadowing Harry and Meghan's eventual step back from royal duties in 2020. This latest biography has reopened old wounds by alleging the Queen herself felt deeply aggrieved by her grandson and his wife. It remains to be seen whether Harry will respond to defend himself and Meghan against the renewed criticism.
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