
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry announced on Sunday that they named their newly born daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. She was born at 11:40 am on June 4 and weighed 7 lbs 11 oz.
Royal Expert Claims Name Is ‘Rude’ To The Queen
While her name was meant to be in honor of Queen Elizabeth, one royal biographer is saying that the name choice is actually “rude” to the 95-year-old monarch.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea — I think it’s quite rude to Her Majesty Her Queen. It was a very private nickname from her husband, who hasn’t been dead for very long,” said Angela Levin, who has written a biography about Harry. that she interviewed him personally for.
“Prince Charles would never dream of calling his mother Lilibet,” she added, according to Daily Mail. “He’s never used it – it was a special name, especially for the the Duke of Edinburgh.”
Related: Piers Morgan Torches Meghan Markle And Prince Harry After They Welcome Baby Girl
History Of ‘Lilibet’
The nickname Lilibet stems from when the Queen could not pronounce her own name when she was a small child. She referred to herself as “Lilibet” rather than “Elizabeth.”
Her parents and grandparents quickly began calling her that name. Her dad King George VI was once being quoted as saying, “Lilibet is my pride. Margaret is my joy.”
Prince Philip, who was married to the Queen for 73 years, was reportedly the only person left who called her Lilibet before he passed away in April. He died two months before his 100th birthday.
“We knew what it was but it was his name — [the Duke of Edinburgh] wanted that name for her, it was a special name, I think it’s quite demeaning, I really believe that,” Levin said.
Levin went on to say that while Harry “did mention to his grandmother” that he planned to name his daughter after her, “but I bet you he didn’t say, ‘I’m going choose Lilibet.'”
Related: Harry And Meghan Baby Name Predictions Are In And The Top Choice Has A Hidden Political Significance
Journalist Disagrees With Levin
Journalist Afua Adom, however, disagreed with Levin on this.
“To say the Queen would be unhappy is frankly ridiculous. It’s a bit of a nod to Meghan’s mother Doria as well, her nickname for Meghan is flower,” she said. “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.”
The Queen has only addressed the birth in a brief statement released through Buckingham Palace.
“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,” the statement read, according to Insider.
Some people absolutely love the name:
Some people will call our sweet niece Lilibet, some Lilibet Diana, some Lili, some Lili Di & some….including myself will call her Lili Diana. Either way her name is so beautiful. Welcome to our world Lili Diana. God Bless you and your family always. 💗💗💗💗💗💗 pic.twitter.com/5hvYUz2Ly7
— Katrina 🕊️🌸🛡️ (@dazzlegal) June 7, 2021
On June 4th, 1996, Princess Diana visited Northwestern University in Chicago ― Meghan’s Markle alma mater. 25 years later on June 4th, 2021, Meghan gave birth to Diana’s granddaughter, Miss Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
I love this reference 😍❤️ pic.twitter.com/WqDMDyFPsf— natasha ♡ (@meghansupporter) June 6, 2021
And, others find it cringeworthy:
new level. #lilibethDiana #lilibethdianamountbattenwindsor
— LouLou LA -Flying the Flag for our British Royals (@LouLouLa10) June 7, 2021
It’s so skin crawlingly cringey I don’t know where to begin. Like all narcissists, its engineered to flip negatively on the other party. I feel sorry for H, she’s going to do a number on him and she’s in it for the long game.
— Jessica Robinson (@Jessica57708055) June 7, 2021
William and Kate tweeted their congratulations to Harry and Meghan on the arrival of their daughter.
We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili.
Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie.
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 6, 2021
Harry and Meghan have spent the past few months speaking negatively about the royal family in various tell-all interviews.
While it is not known at this time if their daughter’s name is seen by the Queen as rude, them disrespecting her yet again would unfortunately not be surprising at this point.
Related: Oprah Accused Of Disrespecting Queen Elizabeth In Trailer For Interview With Harry And Meghan