Queen Elizabeth ‘Bothered’ by Claims She Approved Lilibet Name, Insiders Say

In 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed a daughter named Princess Lilibet, sparking controversy over their choice to use Queen Elizabeth’s childhood nickname, via MSN. Despite the couple’s joy, the decision to name their daughter after the Queen stirred debate and conflicting reports.

Shortly after Lilibet’s birth, claims surfaced that Queen Elizabeth had met her great-granddaughter via FaceTime. An insider from the royal household revealed that these claims unsettled the Queen. “They were very excited and couldn’t wait to share that their daughter arrived,” an unnamed source told OK Magazine in 2021. However, a different perspective soon emerged.

“No video call has taken place. Friends of the Sussexes appear to have given misleading briefings to journalists about what the Queen had said, and that took the whole thing over the edge. This is about whether or not what is being reported is an accurate version of what actually happened,” a separate insider said.

Earlier reports by a royal correspondent suggested that Queen Elizabeth had no prior knowledge of the name choice. “Palace source tells BBC that the Queen was not asked by Meghan and Harry over the use of her childhood nickname; reports suggested Harry had sought permission from Queen to call newborn ‘Lilibet’; but Palace source says the Queen was ‘never asked,’” BBC correspondent Jonny Dymond tweeted in 2021.

“It will have likely been a call saying that she’s arrived and we’d plan to name her after you — it’s not really something one can say no to. I doubt they asked — more likely informed,” an informant shared.

In contrast, another source claimed that the Sussexes did seek the Queen’s blessing. “Meghan and Harry 100 percent got permission from the queen to use the name Lilibet,” a source told Us Weekly.

Following Lilibet’s birth, Prince Harry and Meghan celebrated the news with their supporters. “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 Duke and Duchess of Sussex said in a statement.

“Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales,” Meghan and Prince Harry added.

The Sussexes confirmed that Queen Elizabeth was aware of Lilibet’s arrival, as reflected in an official statement. “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 spokesperson stated.