In a recent Twitter post, royal biographer Omid Scobie strongly criticized claims suggesting that Queen Elizabeth II was upset with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle over their choice of name for their daughter, Princess Lilibet. Scobie expressed his concern, stating that these 'Lilibet revelations' were not portraying the late Queen in a favorable light. His post included screenshots from Gyles Brandreth's book 'Elizabeth,' which affirmed that the Queen saw her great-granddaughter's name as a compliment. Scobie further pointed out that these claims contradict information previously shared by the Palace and present a different image of the monarch.
This controversy stems from a royal aide's statement in journalist Robert Hardman's upcoming book, 'Charles III,' where it was alleged that the late Queen was furious when Harry and Meghan publicly claimed she had given her approval for the use of her childhood nickname. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have yet to respond to the aide's claim, which emerged more than a year after Queen Elizabeth's passing. Buckingham Palace has also refrained from commenting on the matter.
Sources previously revealed that Harry had reportedly called his grandmother after the birth of Lilibet in 2021 to inform her of their intention to pay tribute to her through their daughter's name. One insider stated, 'It will have likely been a call saying that she’s arrived and we’d plan to name her after you — it’s not really something one can say no to. I doubt they asked — more likely, informed.'
Prince Harry and Meghan, who married in 2018 and stepped down from their royal duties in 2020, announced their daughter's name, Lilibet Diana, shortly after her birth. They explained that 'Lili' was named after her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname was Lilibet. They also revealed that her middle name, Diana, was chosen in honor of Harry's late mother, The Princess of Wales. The couple already has a 4-year-old son named Archie.
The public response to these claims and counterclaims has been mixed. While some express surprise and disappointment at the alleged rift between the royal couple and Queen Elizabeth, others maintain that the private details of the family should not be publicly dissected and criticized.
It remains to be seen how Harry and Meghan will address the allegations made in Hardman's book. Regardless, the controversy serves as a reminder that even in times of grief and celebration, the intricate dynamics within the British royal family continue to captivate public attention.
