Meghan’s baby name backlash ramps up
The nation’s divided on ‘Lilibet’
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their second child on 4 June, naming their first daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-windsor. Born in Santa Barbara, California, and weighing 7lbs 11oz, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex revealed the happy news on their Archewell website, saying, “She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and the prayers we’ve felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.” Lilibet – who will be known as Lili – is the Queen’s 11th greatgrandchild, and the name has special meaning, as it is the monarch’s lifelong nickname and what she used to call herself as a child when she was unable to pronounce the full Elizabeth.
Not everyone thinks the name is a thoughtful move, though. Piers Morgan – who has made it clear he’s not a fan of Harry and Meghan – said, “It’s quite ironic, isn’t it? You have this couple who have been trashing the royal family and the monarchy for the last few weeks, and they have named the baby after the Queen.” Some members of the public were equally furious, as one person said, “I can well believe that Harry and Meghan think this is a tribute to the Queen. They are completely insensitive and oblivious to other people’s feelings, and the crassness of this so-called ‘tribute’.” Another added, “Why not just call the baby Lili? That’s a pretty name and would have been her own. Using the Queen’s pet name might be acceptable under different circumstances, but not after they have trashed the royal family.” At the time of going to print, whether or not Harry had asked for the Queen’s permission to use the name was unclear.
However, Piers also suggested this homage could end the rift between the royal family. He said, “Maybe it’s their way of reaching out, as the Americans say, to the royals and wanting some kind of end to this on-running feud.” Now, the Queen is thought to have offered her grandson an olive branch by inviting Harry to lunch when he flies over from California next month, as he still plans to attend the unveiling of the Princess Diana statue in Kensington Palace. A courtier says, “It’s a typically magnanimous gesture by Her Majesty. The lunch will be a chance for them to talk things through.”