Prince Harry and Meghan Fire Back at Palace Sources Who Claim the Queen Was “Never Asked” About Baby Lilibet’s Name

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are clearing up any ambiguity about how their newborn came to be named Lilibet Diana, after palace sources claimed that they never asked for Queen Elizabeth’s permission to use her childhood nickname.

On Wednesday, a Buckingham Palace insider spoke to the BBC, disputing the royal couple’s claims that they’d gotten the monarch’s seal of approval. (“He loves and respects his grandmother,” a source close to the Sussexes told Vanity Fair. “For Harry these are two very important and meaningful names.”) Royal correspondent Jonny Dymond reported on the BBC Radio 4’s flagship Today program that Queen Elizabeth was “never asked” about her grandson’s decision to name his second child after her. But a spokesperson for the Sussexes swiftly denied that claim outright, releasing a statement shortly after the publication of that story that says, “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.” The spokesperson added, “Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.”

On Tuesday, a different source also revealed to People that following the birth of their daughter last week, the Queen was the first person Harry and Meghan video called to introduce Her Majesty to her eleventh great-grandchild, and according to that source, “They were very excited and couldn’t wait to share that their daughter arrived.”

Royal historian Robert Lacey added that the choice in names is also a tribute to the women who raised Harry as after the death of his mother, the monarch “was a sort of stepmother for both Harry and William.” He added, “We have all focused on her coaching of William as the future King, but we are realizing now the importance of the emotional bonds that she’s been able to establish with Harry, and their ability to talk to each other directly. That affection remains.”

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