Prince Harry, Meghan in New Palace Briefing War Over Baby Lilibet Tribute to the Queen
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Prince Harry told Queen Elizabeth II he and Meghan Markle hoped to call their baby Lilibet before the official announcement, their spokesperson has told Newsweek.
The rare official intervention comes after a palace source told the BBC the queen was “never asked” for permission to use the nickname she has had within the family since childhood.
However, Newsweek has been told the Duke and Duchess of Sussex would not have gone ahead with Lilibet if the monarch, 95, had not been supportive.
Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson told Newsweek: “The Duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement, in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called.
“During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honor. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.”
The queen was first nicknamed Lilibet by her father when she was a child and could not pronounce “Elizabeth.”
However, it stuck through to later life and was famously used by husband Prince Philip.
Harry and Meghan’s spokesperson said in their official announcement on Sunday that their baby’s name was a tribute to the monarch.
Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born on Friday, June 4, at 11.40am local time in Santa Barbara.
Video: World reacts to birth of Harry and Meghan’s daughter, Lilibet Diana (TODAY)
World reacts to birth of Harry and Meghan’s daughter, Lilibet Diana
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After the birth, Harry and Meghan said in a statement: “On June 4th, 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.”
A spokesperson for the couple added: “It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world. Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA.
“She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home.
“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.
“This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family.”
Following the announcement, the Royal Family Twitter account posted: “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.
“Lilibet is Her Majesty’s 11th great-grandchild.”
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