Lilibet Diana – a sentimental choice...
…Or a Royal insult? Not even the announcement of the name of the Sussex baby was met without controversy. But will Lilibet signal the beginning of more peaceful family relations in the House of Windsor?
Little Lilibet Diana Windsor-Mountbatten was born on 4 June, a Californian girl who will be eighth in line to the British throne.
But was the naming of Harry and Meghan’s daughter a sweet nod to his family, a sign that he wants to make peace?
Or was it a right Royal insult, given the undeniable stress the couple have placed on the Queen this past year, and yet another opportunity to earn money off the back of a family Meghan and Harry have so publicly walked away from?
When Lilibet, to be known as ‘Lili’, was named – by the couple, who fled Royal life for a new existence and ‘more privacy’ in California – it was clearly very much with the Royal Family in mind.
The choice seems to indicate that bringing up a family in private matters to Harry and Meghan – despite the public fallouts with the Royals in Britain. But it has left some scratching their heads in bewilderment.
Having levelled charges at the Royal house of racism, cruelty, ‘bullying into silence’ and ‘total neglect’, this could be seen as an exercise in damage limitation, rather than a touching tribute – or yet another attempt to hold on to their Royal links, in order to bolster their ever-growing brand.
The couple, who already have son Archie, two, named their daughter Lilibet Diana – in tribute to her great-grandmother Elizabeth, and her late grandmother, Princess Diana.
A Royal source told the BBC that the Queen had not been consulted about the name choice – though a Sussexes’ spokesperson said the couple would never have used it, had she not been supportive.
And yet again, they controlled the happy news – telling the world two days after little Lilibet’s birth, at 11.40am on Friday, US time, at a hospital in Santa Barbara – in total contrast to how Royal babies are generally presented.
Despite their wishes to live a more private life, the couple will surely be acutely aware that the Queen’s 11th great-grandchild – the very first to be born outside the UK and with significant Royal names, will garner huge global interest.
Using the Queen’s childhood nickname Lilibet may have been surprising, but it would seem to show that, to Harry, family still matters – and in that Oprah interview, he and his wife both spoke warmly about Her Majesty.
Following his outspoken response to the recent scandal surrounding Diana’s infamous 1996 Panorama interview, and Harry’s frequent tributes to his adored late mother, choosing Diana as a middle name was perhaps an obvious choice.
Princess Charlotte also has Diana and Elizabeth as her middle names – but her Californian cousin is set to live a very different life in America.
Are her parents – eager to hold on to brand Sussex – just making a smart PR move so their daughter remains part of the Windsor dynasty, or was this
no more than a touching tribute?
The Queen has always said that the Sussexes are muchloved members of her family – so one hopes she has been touched and not upset by her grandson’s latest move.
Speaking on Loose Women, best columnist Carol McGiffin wasn’t convinced. She said, ‘I want to believe that this is a sentimental gesture, an apology, for whatever they may have said or done – “we still love you”… but I can’t! It’s a little strange, giving someone somebody else’s pet name, no?!’
Anchor Charlene White argued, on the other hand, that it was simply a ‘nice piece of sentimentality’.
Reacting to the news on GMB, Royal biographer Angela Levin said controversially that, rather than be delighted at the tribute, she felt Her Majesty may be ‘blindsided’. ‘I don’t think the Queen is fuming but I feel sure she is hurt.’
She added: ‘I think it is quite rude. The Queen has never used it. King George V called the Queen that because she couldn’t say her name properly. It’s demeaning. It was a private nickname from her husband, who hasn’t been long dead.’
‘Do you honestly think the Queen, having her egg and soldiers, isn’t smiling?’ asked stand-in host Richard Madeley.
‘No. They are being rude about her,’ replied Angela. ‘Harry has been very vocal in saying she didn’t bring Charles up properly, he didn’t bring up Harry properly.
‘After what’s happened, she’s desperately unhappy,’ she insisted. ‘Harry did mention to his grandma that he was going to name his daughter after her, but I bet she didn’t know it was going to be Lilibet.’
It was also revealed during the debate that the Sussexes have already bought the domain name Lilibet Diana online.
‘They have already licensed that?’ asked a slightly incredulous Richard. ‘They have licensed it…’ Angela replied.
If it goes live and is used, this would be the direct use of a name close to the Queen for potential financial purposes.
Royal editor, Russell Meyers, however, speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, seemed rather more positive about the new arrival.
‘A baby can help heal wounds,’ he said. ‘Perhaps this baby will have healing qualities.
‘ We have been told that Harry will definitely be in Britain for the unveiling of Diana’s statue on 1 July – shoulder to shoulder with William. Relations are tense, but they will be together in commemorating their mother.’
Russell added that, with Covid restrictions meaning Harry will need to quarantine upon arrival, he will be leaving for British shores very soon – ‘and no doubt Meghan will
Her Majesty may be ‘blindsided’
be getting Mum Doria over to help with the nappies.’
He added: ‘This baby has come at a good time – this olive branch is being extended. So, fingers crossed.’
If little Lili helps heal a family so hurt and divided, she will be a special child indeed.