Harry author says Lilibet choice shows ‘closeness’
FINDING Freedom author Omid Scobie yesterday reignited the row over Meghan and Harry’s decision to name their daughter Lilibet, after the Queen’s childhood nickname, when he claimed it was actually proof of how close the couple are to the monarch.
The name, he said, offered ‘an insight into the close relationship’ the Sussexes and the Queen still share. Others, however, have taken a different view. Indeed, the question of whether or not the Queen had granted permission – as Harry suggested – sparked a transatlantic row.
Palace sources insist the initial conversation between Harry and his grandmother about the name was ‘a telling not an asking’. The BBC report first revealing that the Queen had not been asked for permission caused a furore.
Scobie, who co-wrote about Harry and Meghan’s departure from the Royal Family in Finding Freedom, also came under fire last week when a forthcoming excerpt from a revised edition of his book was published detailing the aftermath of the Oprah Winfrey interview.
The Queen’s statement that ‘some recollections may vary’ led Harry and Meghan to believe senior Royals had not taken ‘accountability’ and ‘full ownership’ of the claims, according to the forthcoming new edition.
But Scobie quickly backtracked, saying that it was the ‘institution’ of the Monarchy, not the Queen personally, who bore the brunt of the Sussexes’ displeasure – even though the statement was issued on behalf of Her Majesty.
Yesterday, Scobie told Good Morning America: ‘When it comes to that relationship with the Queen, it is as strong as ever. They have nothing but love for her. Of course, we saw them name their daughter after the Queen’s very nickname. So that really gives us an insight into that close relationship.’