On Wednesday the BBC reported that a palace source was “absolutely adamant” thatPrince Harry andMeghan Markledid not tell Queen Elizabeth IIthat they hoped to call their daughter Lilibet, which was the queen’s childhood nickname. Lilibet is what Princess Elizabeth called herself as a toddler, because she couldn’t pronounce her own name. Her father King George VI once famously said of his daughters, “Lilibet is my pride. Margaret is my joy,” while the queen’s latePrince Philip affectionately called his wife Lilibet up until his death at the age of 99 earlier this year. Now the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s legal representatives have claimed that the BBC’s report is “false and defamatory.” A spokesperson for the couple say that the queen was the first family member they called to tell her about their daughter’s birth, and it was during that conversation that Harry “shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour.” The spokesperson went on, “Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.” The name on Harry and Meghan’s daughter’s birth certificate is Lilibet Diana after her great-grandmother the queen and her grandmother Princess Diana, who died in 1997, but in the statement to announce their second child’s arrival the Sussexes made clear that she will go by ‘Lili.’ They said, “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.” Lili is the queen’s 11th great-grandchild and is eighth in line to the throne after her 2-year-old brotherArchie Harrison. Next up, Here’s Why the Royal Women—the Queen, Kate, and Camilla—Wore Colorless Jewels to Prince Philip’s Funeral
