Meghan and Harry bought Lilibet internet domains before Queen’s approval

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex bought the domain name of their new daughter Lilibet before she was born to prevent others ‘exploiting’ it, it’s been revealed.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have admitted they bought two internet domains “Lilibet Diana” and “Lili Diana” before their daughter was born and her name was officially approved by the Queen.

The domain name lilibetdiana.com was bought in the US on June 4, the day the eighth in line to the British throne was born and two days before the public announcement.

The Sussexes bought the domain names to halt others “exploiting” it and amid conjecture they intend to set up a charitable foundation in her name, as they have with their son, Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.

Meghan and Harry, pictured with their son Archie. Picture: Instagram

Four days earlier, on May 31, the domain name lilidiana.com was registered, when the couple had agreed on the baby’s name.

A spokesman for the couple told The Telegraph UK the move was “customary” with public figures.

“A significant number of domains of any potential names that were considered were purchased by their team to protect against the exploitation of the name once it was later chosen and publicly shared,” a spokesman told the British newspaper.

The affectionate pet name Lilibet was first used by the young Princess Elizabeth when she struggled to say her name properly. It has only ever been used by her parents, her late husband Prince Philip and a handful of her closest friends and relatives.

Lilibet is the pet name for Queen Elizabeth II adopted by those close to her when she could not pronounce her full name as a young princess. Photo: Ben Stansall

It has been reported the Sussexes “never” sought permission from the Queen to use the name for their second child, according to the BBC.

Lawyers for the Duke and Duchess said it was “false and defamatory” for the corporation to suggest the couple did not ask the British monarch.

Meghan and Harry maintain they chose the nickname knowing the Queen would have been “supportive”.

Buckingham Palace has refused to support the Sussexes in the row with the BBC over whether they sought the Queen’s permission to name their daughter Lilibet.

Harry and Meghan announced they were expecting a baby girl during a controversial interview with Oprah Winfrey. Picture: CBS

They did not confirm a conversation had been held with the Queen before her great granddaughter‘s birth.

“The Duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement, in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called,” a spokesman for the couple told The Daily Telegraph UK.

“During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.”

Lilibet “Lili” Diana was born on June 4. Lili, a younger sister for the Sussexes‘ two-year-old son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor.

She was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California weighing in at 7lb 11oz.

Royal biographer Angela Levin revealed a domain had been set up in Lili‘s name.

The Duchess and Duke of Sussex have already set up a foundation Archewell named after their son, Archie Harrison. Photo Henk Kruger

While discussing if the royal couple would set up a foundation in Lili‘s name as they have with Archie Harrison, Ms Levin told ITV’s Good Morning Britain the name has already been “licenced”.

“The domain is that nobody can use that email and they can use that for any sort of commercial work they want to,” she said.

“They‘ve licenced it.”

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have asked wellwishers to support organisations helping women rather than send them gifts following the birth of their daughter.

The couple announced they were defecting from the royal family in early 2020 before telling the Queen. Photo: Max Mumby

A post on the couple‘s Archewell Foundation website said: “For those inquiring about sending gifts, we would ask that you support or learn more about these organisations working for women and girls: Girls Inc, Harvest Home, CAMFED or Myna Mahila Foundation.

“While the Duke and Duchess are on parental leave, Archewell will continue to do important work and publish stories on the site. We look forward to seeing you!”

Girls Inc, a US-based non-profit organisation set up to “inspire and empower” girls aged five to 18 through various programs, while Harvest Home supports homeless pregnant women and their children.

The Duchess and Duke of Sussex in Peacehaven, Sussex, before quitting the UK in October 2018. Photo: Chris Jackson

Harry and Meghan revealed they were expecting a girl in March during their interview with chat show host Oprah Winfrey.

The new baby is the Queen‘s 11th great-grandchild, and the first to be born since the death of the Duke of Edinburgh in April.

The Sussexes‘ press secretary confirmed the baby had been named Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.

“Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty the Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet,” she said.

“Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, the Princess of Wales.”

Originally published as Meghan and Harry bought Lilibet internet domains before Queen’s approval