Harry and Meghan 'sent legal threats' after Queen fumed over Lilibet's name

16 January 2024 , 10:56

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle weren't happy with claims they made Queen Elizabeth angry (Image: clickorlando)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were reportedly desperate to dispel rumours they didn't ask Queen Elizabeth II for permission to name their daughter after her and even sent legal threats.

The couple welcomed their daughter in June 2021 and decided to name her Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Lilibet is the childhood nickname of the late Queen and was used only by her parents, her sister Princess Margaret, and her husband Prince Philip.

At the time of Lilibet's birth in June 2021, there were reports the Queen hadn't approved the choice of name. According to Robert Hardman's new biography, Charles III: New King, New Court, a source said the Queen was "as angry as I'd ever seen her" over claims she had given her blessing.

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Princess Lilibet was named after the late Queen Elizabeth II (Misan Harriman/Duke and Duchess of Sussex HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry insisted they had permission to use the name

However, Meghan and Harry insisted Queen Elizabeth was "supportive" of their decision to name their daughter Lilibet. The couple even instructed the law firm Schillings to write to publishers and broadcasters saying claims the Queen was not asked were false, defamatory and shouldn't be repeated.

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Writing in his new book, royal author Robert said Meghan and Harry "fired off" warnings of legal action against those who suggested they didn't have the late Queen's permission. He said the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were later rebuffed when they asked Buckingham Palace to back up their side of the story.

At the time, a spokesperson for the Sussexes insisted they would not have used the name if the Queen had not been "supportive". In a statement, they said: "The Duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement - in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called.

Queen Elizabeth was said to be 'furious' over the reports (Getty Images)

"During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name." Legal warnings were then sent, with Harry and Meghan slamming the rumours as "defamatory".

The Sussexes have faced outrage over the decision to call their daughter Lilibet. Journalist Celia Walden, the wife of Piers Morgan, believes it was Meghan who was behind the name.

"I think we can all agree that 'Lilibet' had Meghan stamped all over it," she wrote in The Telegraph. Celia said the intention behind Lilibet's name is "clear as day" and suggested it was used to create an impression of closeness between Meghan and Queen Elizabeth. The journalist also insisted Meghan hadn't "earnt the right to use [Lilibet]" as a name for her daughter.

Scarlett O'Toole