According to a new biography of the late monarch, Queen Elizabeth II wasn't happy when the Sussexes claimed that she approved of them naming their daughter after her family nickname.
- Jan 16, 2024
AceShowbiz - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left late Queen Elizabeth II infuriated with the drama surrounding the couple's daughter Lilibet's naming. According to a new book, the late monarch wasn't happy when Harry and Meghan claimed that she approved of them naming their daughter after her family nickname.
Written by royal journalist Robert Hardman, "Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story" revealed that the Queen was "angry" after finding out that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement that the Queen was "supportive" of the name.
It's also said that the couple was "rebuffed" by Buckingham Palace when they asked them to back up their claim publicly. "One privately [member of palace staff] recalled that Elizabeth II had been 'as angry as I'd ever seen her' in 2021 after the Sussexes announced that she had given them her blessing to call their baby daughter 'Lilibet', the queen's childhood nickname," the book read.
"The couple subsequently fired off warnings of legal action against anyone who dared to suggest otherwise, as the BBC had done," the book added. "However, when the Sussexes tried to co-opt the Palace into propping up their version of events, they were rebuffed."
Meghan and Harry welcomed Lilibet in June 2021. They later announced that they named their second child Lilibet Diana. Shortly after the announcement, BBC cited a source claiming that the couple "never asked" the Queen for her approval to use her nickname. The Times and Daily Mail also reported that the Sussexes simply "informed" the Queen about the name instead of asking for permission.
In response to the claims, Harry and Meghan's spokesperson issued a statement that read, "The duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement - in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called. During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honor. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name."
