Sussexes Defend Decision Amid Royal Biography Revelations
Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly "outraged" after Harry and Meghan Markle claimed they had received permission to name their daughter Lilibet, according to a new royal biography by Robert Hardman titled Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story. The couple welcomed their daughter in June 2021, stating that the name, a cherished childhood nickname of the late Queen, had been granted by her.
However, the book reveals a contrasting narrative, with one royal staff member describing the Queen as “as angry as I’d ever seen her” upon learning of Harry and Meghan's comments. The BBC later reported that the Queen had not been formally consulted about the use of the name.
While initial reports suggested the Queen was blindsided, later accounts indicate she was contacted by Harry, though she reportedly felt unable to say no. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reinforced their position, stating the Queen was "supportive" of their choice and that the couple wouldn’t have used the name without her approval.
In the midst of these claims, Harry and Meghan’s law firm, Schillings, took legal action against media outlets, demanding retractions and labelling reports about the Queen’s disapproval as defamatory. The controversy has further fuelled speculation about tensions within the royal family.
