Prince Harry asked Queen Elizabeth permission to name his baby after her
Prince Harry put in a phone call to Queen Elizabeth to ask if he and Meghan Markle could name their daughter after her, sources have revealed.
Prince Harry rang the Queen to ask her for permission to name his daughter Lilibet, which is the monarch’s nickname, Page Six is told.
The New York Post has reported Harry, 36, remains close to his grandmother, despite quitting the royal family in 2020 amid the “Megxit” storm and giving recent interviews filled with accusations, including claims of racism, against the Palace.
Although a royal commentator called the choice of name “rude” and “demeaning” — and insisted that only the late Prince Philip called Her Majesty Lilibet — sources that Harry absolutely sought permission before his baby’s birth.
Royal sources have confirmed that Harry called Queen Elizabeth II before his wife, Meghan Markle, gave birth in Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital on June 4.
Announcing the birth of Lilibet Diana, a statement released by Harry and Markle, 39, read, “Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet.”
Lilibet is also named after her late grandmother Princess Diana, who died at the age of 36 in a tragic 1997 car crash in Paris.
When asked if the Queen would be happy about Lilibet being used by the Sussexes, commentator Angelia Levin said on Monday on Good Morning Britain, “Not after what’s happened, I think she’s desperately unhappy because they were desperately rude about her. I don’t think it’s a good idea. I think it’s quite rude to her Majesty the Queen.”
However, Afua Adom, who was also on the show, hit back saying, “It’s also a bit of a stretch to say that the Queen is fuming that her great grandchild is named after her. I think it’s a nod of affection.”
BABY’S NAME IS OLIVE BRANCH TO ROYAL FAMILY
They may be sparring with the royal family, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s nod to the establishment with their newborn’s name shows the Duke of Sussex still feels “connected” to the House of Windsor, a royal expert says.
Their baby daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor is the Queen’s 11th great-grandchild and the third in recent months whose name honours family members throughout the generations.
Harry and Meghan’s second child Lilibet Diana is named after the Queen herself and Diana, Princess of Wales.
In similar fashion, Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall and Prince Andrew’s daughter Princess Eugenie tipped their hats to the late Prince Philip after giving birth in March and February respectively.
Zara went with Lucas Philip Tindall for her first son’s name, while Princess Eugenie named her first child August Philip Hawke Brooksbank.
Juliet Rieden, editor-at-large of The Australian Women’s Weekly, said the naming of Lilibet Diana indicated Prince Harry’s “connectedness” to the royal family despite a tumultuous year amid the fallout of Megxit and the bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.
“I think it’s a lovely way of honouring Harry’s mother and grandmother,” she said.
Of the Queen’s eleven great-grandchildren, nine have names steeped in royal history. They are Lilibet Diana, Lucas Philip, August Philip, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis, Lena Elizabeth (Zara’s second daughter), Savannah Anne and Isla Elizabeth (Peter Phillips’ kids).
“William named his daughter Charlotte Diana Elizabeth. These names have always stayed within the royal family but this time there is the use of the nickname, which adds a personal element,” Ms Rieden said.
“Despite the media storm that has followed Harry, this shows he is very much connected to House of Windsor and is proud of that connection.
“By naming his daughter Lilibet, he is connecting his own family to the royal family forever — that shows where his mindset is at.”
MEGHAN’S MUM IS HELPING WITH THE BABY
Meghan Markle’s mum, Doria Ragland, is “overjoyed to welcome her new granddaughter,” the New York Post’s Page Six has been told by a source.
Although the sources confirmed Doria, 64, was not present at the birth of Lilibet Diana on June 4 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, she is now believed to be helping out with the newborn at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s Montecito, California, home.
The LA-based yoga teacher flew to the UK for the birth of her first grandchild, Archie, back in May 2019.
She spent a few weeks with her daughter and son-in-law Prince Harry ahead of the birth and then helped out after Archie’s arrival.
She was seen beaming in a photo released of the Queen and Prince Philip meeting their great-grandson for the first time.
It was also Doria who broke the news of Archie’s birth to her ex-husband, Thomas Markle, who is infamously estranged from his daughter.
STARS LIKELY TO BE ROYAL BABY’S GODPARENTS
Some of the biggest names in Hollywood are being tipped as possible godparents to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s newborn daughter after the couple welcomed Lilibet Diana.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced on Sunday, local time, the birth of their daughter, who was born in California after a year of turmoil in Britain’s royal family.
Several A-list stars have grown close to the Sussexes since their move to California’s celebrity paradise of Montecito.
Oprah Winfrey is not the only strong woman who could make the cut as godmother to Lilibet, The Sun reports, with TV host Gayle King and tennis superstar Serena Williams also being tipped as contenders.
TV host King has become a mouthpiece for the couple – revealing in April it was “no secret” Harry and William’s relationship was “strained”.
Despite the apparent rift, the baby’s name is clearly a touching tribute to the royals.
“Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales,” said a statement from the couple.
The baby girl was born at 11.40am on Friday, local time, at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, weighing a healthy 7lbs 11oz.
The Queen was reportedly told in advance that the couple planned to name their daughter after her.
Buckingham Palace officials were reportedly left out of the loop about the child’s birth and only found out along with rest of the world.
The hospital is in Santa Barbara only about 10 minutes’ drive from Harry and Meghan’s Montecito mansion and was founded by 50 women in 1888 – an aspect that would have struck a chord with Meghan.
The statement said “both mother and child are healthy and well and settling in at home”.
Meghan and Harry have asked wellwishers to support organisations working for women and girls instead of sending gifts.
A statement published on their Archewell website said: “On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili.
“She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe.
“Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”
The couple have also asked anyone wishing to send a present to instead “support or learn more” about organisations working for women and girls.”
Read the full statement here.
The couple is yet to share a photo of their baby girl.
According to their biographer Omid Scobie, that’s not going to happen anytime soon.
“The couple, who will not be sharing a photo at this time, are now on parental leave,” he tweeted.
QUEEN, ROYAL FAMILY ‘DELIGHTED’ AT BIRTH
The Queen and her family are “delighted” at the birth of a daughter to her grandson Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Sunday, local time.
“The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been informed and are delighted with the news of the birth of a daughter for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” a palace spokeswoman said.
Congratulations to The Duke and Duchess of Sussex on the birth of Lilibet Diana! The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted with the news.
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 6, 2021
Lilibet is Her Majesty’s 11th great-grandchild. pic.twitter.com/dGVeRpd3pK
Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, posted a separate message on their official Instagram account.
“We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili. Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie,” the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said.
Prince Charles and Camilla took a similar approach: “Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie on the arrival of baby Lilibet Diana. Wishing them all well at this special time.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson also sent his congratulations.
“Many congratulations to The Duke & Duchess of Sussex on the birth of their daughter,” Johnson wrote on Twitter.
Meghan’s father Thomas Markle told Sun Online: “I’m very pleased that my daughter and my new granddaughter had a successful delivery.
“I wish them all my love and the best of luck.”
Photographer Misan Harriman, who took the pictures Meghan and Harry used to announce the duchess was pregnant, congratulated his “brave friend”.
He tweeted: “Lilibet has arrived! Congratulations to my brave friend and her lovely family! #allthatmatters #babyjoy.”
Comedian and actress Ellen DeGeneres, a friend of the couple, tweeted: “Congratulations Meghan, Harry and Archie.
“Welcome to the world Lilibet! I am more than a Lilibet excited to meet you.”
Star Trek actor William Shatner also posted his best wishes.
He tweeted: “Congratulations to Prince Harry & Meghan on the birth of their daughter.”
WHERE LILIBET DIANA FITS IN THE ROYAL FAMILY
The new arrival is the Queen’s 11th great-grandchild, joining big brother Archie and Prince William’s children George, Charlotte and Louis.
Lilibet is Prince Charles’ fifth grandchild.
Harry and Meghan’s first and only daughter is the eight-in-line to the throne, and the most senior royal in the current line of succession to be born overseas, according to The Sun.
Her arrival has pushed Prince Andrew, who was born second in line in 1960, down to ninth place.
Lilibet Diana is not entitled, at this stage, to be an HRH nor a princess due to rules set out more than 100 years ago by George V.
She can, however, become a Lady, although Harry and Meghan will most likely style their second-born a Miss, as they did with Master Archie, using the surname Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Duke and Duchess have previously made no secret of their desire for a second child but have said two children will be their limit for environmental reasons.
The couple revealed they were having a daughter during their Oprah interview in March.
When Oprah asked Harry how he felt learning he would have a daughter, he gushed: “Amazing. Just grateful.
“To have any child, any one or any two, would have been amazing. But to have a boy and then a girl, what more can you ask for. We’ve got our family — the four of us and our two dogs.”
WILL BABY LILI HELP HEAL THE ROYAL RIFT?
Harry and Meghan sat in March for a bombshell interview with US talk show host Oprah Winfrey, triggering the royal family’s biggest crisis since Harry’s mother died in a car crash in 1997.
During the two-hour sit-down, viewed by more than 17 million people in the US and over 11 million in Britain, Harry and Meghan said racism had played a part in them quitting the UK for the US.
The couple said a senior royal had speculated how dark their child’s skin would be before he was born. Meghan’s mother is African-American and her father is white.
Meghan, a former actress, also told Winfrey she was “naively” unprepared for life as a royal and had contemplated suicide while pregnant with her first child Archie.
Harry, 36, and Meghan 39, accused newspapers of racial stereotyping, particularly set against coverage of Harry’s sister-in-law, Catherine, the wife of Prince William.
Prior to these events, Prince Harry is said to have a good relationship with his grandparents. He told talk show host James Corden earlier this year that he had spoken via video call with the Queen and Prince Philip since moving to the United States so they could see their great-grandson Archie.
Harry has spoken to his father multiple times since the Oprah interview came out, notably after Prince Philip’s funeral, according to British media.
— With AFP
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Originally published as Prince Harry asked Queen Elizabeth permission to name his baby after her
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