Meghan Markle & Harry’s choice to call Lilibet ‘Lili’ may suggest they ‘don’t actually like the name much’, says expert
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry’s choice to call Lilibet ‘Lili’ may suggest they “don’t actually like the name much”, claims an expert.
A royal commentator says he’s ‘baffled’ over the Lilibet naming row which “adds to the endless psycho-drama that seems to have enveloped Harry and Meghan”.
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A fuming Prince Harry yesterday threatened legal action against the BBC over claims he didn’t ask the Queen to name his baby daughter Lilibet.
The clash started when a Palace source allegedly told the BBC the Sussexes “never asked” Her Majesty about using her childhood nickname when naming their newborn daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
Harry then hit back just 90 minutes later, saying that his grandmother was “supportive” of his choice of name and the couple wouldn’t have used it if this wasn’t the case.
But the escalating row has ‘confused’ royal commentator Richard Kay.
He writes in his Daily Mail column that courtiers are ‘baffled’ about the couple calling their daughter Lili – “something Harry’s grandmother was never known by”.
“It might even suggest that they don’t actually much like the name Lilibet anyway,” Kay quotes one long-standing Palace figure as claiming.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s official spokesman said: “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.”
But, Kay writes, “there was no explanation when this call was made and how far in advance of the announcement, which came on Sunday evening London time”.
“The language is also puzzling. It says that it is Harry’s ‘hope’ to name his daughter Lilibet.
“This is not the same as seeking his grandmother’s permission – and make no mistake, the Queen is very particular about the names given to her great-grandchildren. The closer they are to the throne, the closer she takes an interest.”
Kay adds that when “Harry and Meghan unexpectedly alighted on Lilibet for the baby born in faraway California last Friday, their choice of name has been the focus of intense speculation – and unanswered questions”.
“Just when did the duke consult his grandmother or seek her permission? How much notice was she given?
“And was the request made in person – perhaps when Harry returned to Britain for his grandfather’s funeral – or during a long-distance telephone call?
“If it was over the phone, might this have been problematic?”
“Most people of 95 no longer have perfect-pitch hearing and on a long-distance line there is ample room for a misunderstanding or two.
“After all, ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Lilibet’ – unless carefully [enunciated] – do not sound so dissimilar, especially when said at speed,” Kay writes.
Harry and Meghan have threatened the BBC with legal action through law firm Schillings.
It’s been suggested by journalist Afua Adom that the baby’s name also has another hidden reference to Meghan’s own mum Doria.
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Speaking on this Good Morning Britain, Afua said: “Lilibet is such a pretty name, it’s such a cute name. It is not just about being named after the Queen.
“It is a bit of a nod to Meghan’s mother Doria as well, because Meghan’s mother’s nickname for her is flower, hence why we’ve got Lili in there for Lilibet.”
But host Susanna Reid didn’t seem convinced, responding that it seemed “a bit of a stretch”.