Lilibet’s name proves Harry, Meghan ‘close’ to Queen
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s biographer has hit back at claims the couple do not have a good relationship with the Queen, saying there’s one clear indication they do.
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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to name their child Lilibet shows how “close” they are to the Queen, the couple’s biographer and close friend Omid Scobie believes.
Scobie, who wrote Finding Freedom about the couple’s exit from the royal family, stated on US TV that the couple’s use of the Queen’s childhood nickname gives an “insight” into their relationship with the monarch.
It comes after a disagreement erupted over the use of Lilibet’s name, with Prince Harry adamant he spoke to the Queen about using it beforehand, reports The Sun.
But a Buckingham Palace source reportedly told the BBC the Queen was “never asked” about its use.
While another royal source reportedly told the Mail on Sunday the conversation between Prince Harry and his grandmother was “a telling, not an asking”.
“When it comes to that relationship with the Queen, it is as strong as ever,” Scobie told Good Morning America.
“They have nothing but love for her. Of course, we saw them name their daughter after the Queen’s very nickname.
“So that really gives us an insight into that close relationship.”
Scobie also revealed the couple “have a busy period ahead” working on their various media deals as they “prepare to return to work” following their parental leave.
“We saw them jump from one big project to the next especially when they moved over to the US but they’re on parental leave at the moment, enjoying that important family time from home,” he told GMA.
“But we are about to enter a very busy period for the couple when they do return to work.”
He added: “We will see those first projects from Spotify, the Netflix project coming out and of course their own work from their charitable organisation Archewell.”
LEGAL FIGHTBACK
It comes as the Queen ordered senior Buckingham Palace aides to plan a legal fightback amid hurtful attacks by Prince Harry and Meghan — declaring: “Enough is enough.”
The monarchy’s legal team is consulting libel experts after a barrage of criticism from the US-based couple.
Last week, a new chapter of Finding Freesom suggested the couple weren’t impressed with how the palace dealt with allegations made during their explosive Oprah interview.
The Sussexes had claimed there were conversations with Harry and a “family” member about what colour baby Archie’s skin would be – and “what that would mean or look like”.
Meghan also alleged Archie wasn’t made a prince after “concerns and conversations” about “how dark” his skin would be when he was born.
And she revealed she was left feeling suicidal after joining the royal family.
The Queen responded with a statement 36 hours after the chat, saying she was “saddened by the claims” but that “some recollections may vary”.
In an updated version of Finding Freedom, Scobie and co-author Carolyn Durand say the comment “did not go unnoticed”.
The book said Her Majesty did not take “full ownership” of the issues raised and “little” has been done since.
Scobie insisted the “institution” of the Monarchy, rather than the Queen personally who the Sussexes were displeased with.
But the statement at the time was issued on behalf of Her Majesty.
The Sussexes’ biography co-writer was asked: “What’s the latest on that relationship with the Queen?”
“I spoke to sources close to the couple, who spoke about their disappointment in the institution of the monarchy, and the sort of lack of accountability taken after some of the revelations that they made in the Oprah Winfrey interview,” Scobie said.
“Particularly when they came to the racism claims.
“But when it comes to that relationship with the Queen, it is as strong as ever – they have nothing but love for her.”
Scobie and Durand have updated their book with the new chapter, promising a host of revelations since it was first published last year.
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