Prince Harry and Meghan announce birth of baby daughter
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced yesterday Meghan Markle had given birth to a 7lb 11oz daughter, named Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. While the news of the healthy birth has been celebrated, many have criticised the couple for naming the baby after two leading royals when the pair seem intent on distancing themselves from the Royal Family. One commentator has also criticised Meghan and Harry for taking “such an intimate family pet name”.
The late King George VI, the Queen’s father, fondly called his eldest Lilibet, a childhood nickname that has stuck throughout her life and was often used by Prince Philip.
As a result, commentator Richard Kay suggested it may be a step too far for Meghan and Harry to name their daughter Lilibet.
Writing in a column for the Daily Mail, he said: “By giving the baby the name Lilibet, the Queen’s private family nickname – even though they intend to use the diminutive ‘Lili’ for their daughter – there is a risk.
“Will it be seen as a presumptuous choice for a royal baby who is eighth in line to the throne, but who will grow up on the other side of the world speaking with an American accent?
“And how might Prince Charles feel about his fifth grandchild carrying such an intimate family pet name that he has never used himself?
“It is tempting to wonder if Harry would have been so emboldened in his choice if his grandfather Prince Philip – the only close family member permitted to call the Queen ‘Lilibet’ – had still been alive.
Prince Harry has been accused of breaching royal protocol by naming his daughter after the Queen (Image: Getty)
“Doubtless, there will be among the more cautious courtiers at the Palace some discomfort and the odd raised eyebrow at this latest convention-destroying Exocet from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
Royal fans also criticised the move on Twitter, with one person writing: @I’m actually disgusted that they have named their daughter Lilibet!
“That was Prince Philips nick name for the Queen! After everything they have done, all the accusations & scorn they have poured on our Queen & now they take that away from her!”
Another person wrote: “Lillibet? Are they having a 90 year old white woman?… And this name seems an insipid level of pandering to the Royal Family, who they say, ‘drove’ them away with their racism and who they no longer want to be a part of?”
A third fumed: “You trash the Royal family then hope this makes amends , nope.”
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8.20pm update: Meghan Markle’s mother Doria reported to be living with Meghan and Harry to help them with newborn
Page Six has reported that the 64-year-old is “overjoyed to welcome her new granddaughter”.
The website added that she is now said to be living with them in their $14.5million home in Montecito.
They also claimed she wasn’t present at the birth.
Prince Harry ‘is being selfish’ says Angela Levin
8.01pm update: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry ask for donations in celebration of Lilibet’s birth
The Duchess of Sussex gave birth to her second child on Friday at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California.
The couple were quickly inundated with messages from well-wishers from all over the world, including from the other royals.
The widespread support prompted Harry and Meghan to suggest that any supporters who wanted to send gifts to them could instead donate to organisations helping women, including Girls Inc and CAMFED.
A post on the couple’s Archewell Foundation website said: “For those inquiring on sending gifts, we would ask that you support or learn more about these organisations working for women and girls: Girls Inc, Harvest Home, CAMFED or Myna Mahila Foundation.
“While the Duke and Duchess are on parental leave, Archewell will continue to do important work and publish stories on the site.
“We look forward to seeing you!”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their new baby daughter Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana Mountbatten-Windsor to the world over the weekend, after the Duchess of Sussex gave birth to her on Friday 4 June.
But while many have celebrated the wonderful arrival, royal biographer Angela Levin slammed the name as “distasteful” and a “terrible invasion” The Queen‘s privacy.
In a brutal attack, Ms Levin insisted the decision by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex was “terrible” and branded Harry as “cunning” for choosing the name.
She said: “I actually think it is a terrible invasion of the Queen’s privacy.
“This was a special name that her grandfather King George IV gave her when she was very small.
“She could not say Elizabeth… she used to say Lilibet.
“And then the Duke of Edinburgh picked this up and called it to her.”
Ms Levin added: “It was another way of saying darling.
“It is a very loving, emotional, intimate name.”
But the royal expert said: “And I think that his death was so few weeks ago that it is a very distasteful!”
Lilibet Diana: Meghan and Harry will take ‘time away’ says expert
Doria is well known for her close relationship to daughter Meghan, and her son-in-law Harry, who has previously spoken of the affection he has for his mother-in-law.
The former make-up artist has remained a constant beacon of support for the couple, particularly after their landmark decision to quit their senior royal duties last year – and move across the pond to the US.
As well as a close relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Doria reportedly enjoys a sweet connection with TV legend Oprah Winfrey, who interviewed Harry and Meghan for CBS in March.
During their interview, the Sussexes unleashed a series of allegations towards the Royal Family, including claims over racism and their mental health.
It even led Harry to question his brother Prince William and father Prince Charles, who he described as being “trapped” inside the monarchy.
While speaking on the broadcast, Oprah and Meghan both admitted that they had wanted to have an interview together but previous requests had been shut down by the Firm.
Yet, prior to the interview, Oprah was forced to speak out after speculation grew that she had “bribed” Doria into getting her daughter to be questioned by the broadcaster.
In February she said she “loved the story” that saw claims of Oprah trying to get Doria into her confidence by giving her “gifts”.
She added: “Do you know what the gifts were?
“For lunch, we had dessert with kumquats and she said, ‘I love kumquats,’ and I said, ‘I have a kumquat tree, do you want some kumquats?’
“For all the people who said I’m giving her gifts, I’m trying to bribe her for an interview, they were kumquats.”
The Duchess of Sussex has lavished praise on her mother in the past, describing her as her “best friend”, while she was the only member of Meghan’s family to attend her marriage to Harry.
Doria was also mentioned during her CBS talk with Oprah, where Meghan praised her for not speaking out in public, despite the “obsession” surrounding her family.
She recalled “you’ve never heard [Doria] say a word”, adding that her mother “remained in silent dignity for four years” as she watched her daughter struggle with the pressures of royal life.
Meghan Markle, 39, and Prince Harry, 36, welcomed the birth of their daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana on June 4.
Lili, a younger sister for the Sussexes’ two-year-old son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California weighing in at 7lb 11oz. Royal biographer Angela Levin has since claimed a domain has been set up in Lili’s name.
Meghan Markle, 39, and Prince Harry, 36, welcomed the birth of their daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana on June 4. Lili, a younger sister for the Sussexes’ two-year-old son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California weighing in at 7lb 11oz.
Royal biographer Angela Levin has since claimed a domain has been set up in Lili’s name.
She said: “They’ve made a domain, Lilibet Diana, they did that yesterday.
“The domain is that nobody can use that email and they can use that for any sort of commercial work they want to.
“They’ve licenced it.”
Lilibet is a childhood nickname for the Queen (Image: Getty)
4.28pm update: Cressida Bonas told friends Prince Harry ranted about paparazzi when there were none
The Duke of Sussex opened up about the “severe anxiety” he felt around performing royal duties in his late twenties and early thirties.
He told Oprah Winfrey in their new Apple TV+ series ‘The Me You Can’t See’: “Before I even left the house I was sweating, I was in fight or flight mode. “Panic attacks, severe anxiety ‒ 28 to 32 was a nightmare time for me. I was freaking out every single time I got in a car and every single time I saw a camera.”
Cressida, an actress and model, dated Harry for two years and was his last girlfriend before meeting Meghan Markle.
“He’d rant and complain about paparazzi lurking where clearly there were none, she said.”
3.32pm update: Did you spot it? Prince Harry dropped massive clue over Lilibet’s name YEARS ago
Prince Harry showed a keen interest in the name ‘Lily’ during a royal engagement carried out in 2019, an insider has said, leading to think he may have had his mind set on a version of this name for quite a long time.
The source recalled Prince Harry and Meghan stopped to speak to schoolchildren and their parents during a day of royal duties in Birkenhead.
At the time, Meghan was pregnant with Archie but the sex of their firstborn was not yet known.
Among the well-wishers who gathered to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, some suggested some names they could choose from.
But Prince Harry appeared to be particularly interested in the name of a girl and asked for more information from her mother, according to the insider.
The source told the Sun: “Lilibet was a favourite nickname used by Prince Philip.
“It’s also been one of Harry’s favourites for years.
“During a royal engagement in Liverpool in 2019, when Meghan was pregnant with Archie, Harry asked someone in the crowd how she spelt her daughter’s name Lily.
“She said Harry took great interest in it and suggested he was keen on giving it to his own daughter one day”.
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are settling into life as a family of four after the birth of their daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana.
Lilibet is the Queen’s family nickname and the choice pays tribute to the monarch at a challenging time for the Windsors, who are mourning the loss of the Duke of Edinburgh.
But royal biographer Angela Levin has claimed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were “rude” to the Queen and she will be “unhappy” that their daughter was named Lilibet.
Speaking to ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Ms Levin said: “I think she’s desperately unhappy because they were desperately rude about her.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. I think it’s quite rude to her Majesty the Queen.
“It was a very private nickname from her husband who hasn’t been dead for very long.
“Prince Charles would never dream of referring to his mother as Lilibet.
“He’s never used it – it was a special name, especially for the Duke of Edinburgh.”
Lili, a younger sister for the Sussexes’ two-year-old son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, was born at 11.40am on Friday June 4 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California weighing in at 7lb 11oz.
2.40pm update: Princess Charlotte shares sweet link to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s new baby Lilibet
Princess Charlotte shares an adorable connection to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s baby daughter, who is just three days old.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the happy news that Meghan gave birth to a healthy baby girl on Friday morning.
The baby, who weighed 7lbs and 11oz has been named after the Queen and the late Princess of Wales, with the name Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
The choice of name for the tot could also be seen as a sweet nod to Harry’s niece Princess Charlotte, as the six-year-old bears a similar name.
Princess Charlotte’s two middle names are in honour of Her Majesty and Princess Diana.
As a result, Meghan and Harry’s daughter, shares two names with her older cousin.
2pm update: So much for distancing themselves from the royals! Meghan and Harry’s baby name ‘strange’
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s decision to name their daughter after the Queen using her very personal moniker has been described as “strange” by a royal author.
Royal commentator Ingrid Seward said the decision to use “an intimate” nickname of the Queen as the first name of their daughter is “strange” given their relationship with the Royal Family.
She said: “How charming that Harry and Meghan have decided to call their daughter Lilibet or Lili as a compliment to the Queen.
“But how strange as they profess to want to remove themselves from royal life that they have chosen to use such an intimate royal nickname for their daughter.”
Princess Diana’s name is honoured in Meghan and Harry’s name choice for their daughter (Image: Getty)
1.20pm update: Oprah Winfrey set to become godmother for Meghan and Harry’s Lilibet – ‘Fits the bill’
Oprah, who hosted the couple’s first sit down interview since they quit the Royal Family, is a neighbour and close friend of the Sussexes.
Prince Harry recently collaborated with the interviewer for a Mental Health docu-series, The Me You Can’t See, on Apple TV+.
Omid Scobie, a royal biographer and close friend of the couple, suggested Oprah could well be in the running as a godparent to the new baby.
He said: “If one of those godparents is Oprah – and I’m not saying that she is – then you can understand why perhaps they want to keep that to themselves. Because even Oprah sitting down to interview them was controversial enough in itself.”
Another insider has also hinted that Oprah could become godmother.
They claim the “coveted role” has been “reserved” for Oprah following the explosive interview in March.
12.30pm update: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry offer ‘major olive branch’ – but expert warns ‘damage done’
Meghan and Prince Harry named their daughter after the Queen by using the moniker only people closest to the monarch, including her parents, sister and Prince Philip, used to call her.
This move could be seen as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s desire to build bridges with the Royal Family after months of tensions, according to various royal commentators.
Royal author Duncan Larcombe described Lilibet as “the most royal of names” before saying this choice may be considered as an olive branch from the Sussexes.
He told Fabolous Digital: “By choosing the childhood name of the Queen, Harry and Meghan have given their daughter the most royal of names.
“To many, such a specific nod to Her Majesty will be seen as the first major olive branch offered by the Sussexes since Megxit. A sign perhaps Harry and Meghan are eager to build bridges.”
11.40am update: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry disappoint fans as couple ‘won’t share photo of Lilibet’
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed a baby daughter on Friday morning, with the couple naming the babe after the Queen and the late Princess of Wales.
But the couple, who seek to shield both their children from the public eye, will not be releasing a photo of the new arrival anytime soon, according to Meghan and Harry’s biography and friend Omid Scobie.
Mr Scobie, author of Finding Freedom, wrote on Twitter: “The couple, who will not be sharing a photo at this time, are now on parental leave.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed a baby girl on Friday (Image: Getty)
11am update: Prince Philip to be honoured with historic event – symbolic items put on rare display
Prince Philip’s life and work are to be commemorated in two special exhibitions debuting this summer.
The Royal Collection Trust (RCT) has announced today two displays dedicated to Prince Philip are to open during the summer.
The exhibitions will be called Prince Philip: A Celebration, and will be split into “two separate but closely linked displays”, the Trust said.
The first display will open on June 24 at Windsor Castle while the other will be launched at the Palace of Holyroodhouse almost a month later, on July 23.
10.35am update: Queen ‘confused’ by Meghan and Harry’s decision to name daughter after her -‘How strange’
The Queen will be “confused” by Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s decision to name their daughter after her childhood nickname, a royal expert has claimed.
The couple decided to name the baby after two senior royals, the Queen and the late Princess of Wales, and called the youngster Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. But royal expert Ingrid Seward said Her Majesty will likely be “confused” by the name choice, after Meghan and Harry’s recent condemnation of the Royal Family.
The royal author said: “How charming that Harry and Meghan have decided to call their daughter Lilibet or Lily as a compliment to the Queen. But how strange as they profess to want to remove themselves from royal life that they have chosen to use such an intimate royal nickname for their daughter.
“It was affectionately used by only her parents and her husband. But I am certain she will be pleased and perhaps a little confused that Prince Harry has decided to use this name.”
10.04am update: Archie Harrison ‘absolutely adores’ Lilibet Diana – insider casts light on new bond
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s son Archie Harrison “absolutely adores” his little sister, according to an insider.
Archie is already behaving like the perfect big brother with Lilibet Diana, the source suggested. The two-year-old has welcomed his little sister home and is reportedly giving her “lots of kisses” since her arrival.
An insider told Us Weekly: “They are already back home in Montecito with their baby girl. Archie absolutely adores his little sister and gives her lots of kisses. He’s held her with the help of his parents.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, a romantic timeline (Image: Express)
9.30am update: Queen myths debunked by expert: ‘Rubbish’ rumours over ‘Lilibet’ nickname dismantled
Royal commentator Victoria Arbiter has set the record straight on issues surrounding royal babies’ names after it was revealed Meghan and Harry have welcomed their second child, who they called Lilibet Diana.
Both these names have clear links to prominent members of the Royal Family – the Queen and Princess Diana.
Ms Arbiter wrote on Twitter: “So much rubbish being put out this afternoon: – No, there is not a ‘roster’ of names from which royals are expected to pick.
“- The Queen gives her blessing, not ‘permission’. She’s not a dictator. – No, ‘Lilibet’ was not coined by Prince Philip. The Queen came up with it herself.”
9am update: Meghan Markle and Harry’s daughter already starting to heal rift with Kate and William
On Sunday evening, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex announced the news Meghan had given birth to a daughter, weighing 7lbs 11oz.
The couple said both mother and daughter are doing well and that the couple had decided to name the baby Lilibet ‘Lili’ Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Members of the Royal Family rushed to congratulate the couple on the new arrival, with Kate and William’s message appearing to show a shift in relations.
Kate and William posted a congratulatory message to the Sussexes’ on their social media accounts, which read: “We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili. Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie.”
Their Instagram post featured one of the stunning black and white photos of the Sussex trio taken to announce the news of their pregnancy earlier this year.
The post has received more than 1.4million likes and 10,000 comments, with royal fans pointing out the gushing statement appears to show steps towards a royal reconciliation between the two families.
8.20am update: Brits call for bank holiday in honour of Meghan Markle and Harry’s daughter
The Duke and the Duchess of Sussex announced on Sunday the arrival of their second child, Lilibet Diana.
The news prompted a spate of tweets from Brits jokingly calling for a bank holiday to welcome Lilibet.
One Twitter user wrote: “Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced the birth of their daughter Lillibet. Congratulations to them, that calls for a bank holiday weekend next week IMO.”
Another person added: “I completely agree. What better way to show respect.”
