The late Queen was angry at Prince Harry and Meghan over their claim she had blessed them naming their daughter ‘Lilibet’, it has been alleged in a new book.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s spokesperson said the couple chose the name after seeking permission from the late monarch, and would not have done so if she had objected.
The name was a childhood nickname of Queen Elizabeth and also used as an affectionate nickname by her husband Prince Philip throughout their relationship.
However, a new book alleges the monarch was angered by the Sussexes' claim that she had given her blessing for their daughter’s name, citing members of staff at the palace.
The book, Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story by Robert Hardman, currently being serialised in the Daily Mail, states: “One privately recalled that Elizabeth II had been 'as angry as I'd ever seen her' in 2021 after the Sussexes announced that she had given them her blessing to call their baby daughter 'Lilibet', the Queen's childhood nickname.
“The couple subsequently fired off warnings of legal action against anyone who dared to suggest otherwise, as the BBC had done.
“However, when the Sussexes tried to co-opt the Palace into propping up their version of events, they were rebuffed.
“Once again, it was a case of "recollections may vary" - the late Queen's reaction to the Oprah Winfrey interview - as far as Her Majesty was concerned.”
The couple have previously said through a spokesperson: “The duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement - in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called.
“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.”
Previous reports at the time alleged that the Queen was consulted beforehand, but did not feel able to say no.
The book also revealed that Queen Elizabeth II’s final moments were described as “very peaceful” in a memo written by her private secretary, which also said she “wouldn’t have been aware of anything”.
A note about the late Queen’s death at Balmoral on September 8 2022 was written by Sir Edward Young.
He noted: “Very peaceful. In her sleep. Slipped away. Old age. She wouldn’t have been aware of anything. No pain.”
