"this very special time for our family.”
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their second child and named her Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
The news was announced on June 6, 2021, with the couple revealing that the baby was born on June 4 at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California.
In a statement on their Archewell website, the couple said:
“On June 4th, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili.
“She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe.
“Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”
Along with the announcement, the couple also revealed the meaning behind their baby daughter’s name, which pays tribute to both the Queen and Prince Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana.
They decided to name their daughter Lilibet as it is the Queen’s childhood nickname.
King George V gave her the nickname as she could not pronounce her name Elizabeth as a child.
It was also a name that was frequently used by her late husband, Prince Philip.
On the newborn’s middle name, the couple said:
“Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.”
The newborn’s name has been seen as a tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, however, the name has been criticised, given the recent controversies.
Both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stepped down from their roles as senior royals.
In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021, Meghan accused a member of the royal family of racism.
She claimed that the person expressed concern about how dark their first child Archie’s skin tone might be.
Meghan later said that she was suffering from mental health issues, causing her to feel suicidal. However, the Royal Family allegedly did not help her.
Some royal experts now believe that their newborn’s name could act as an olive branch to the Royal Family.
Royal biographer Angela Levin said it exploits “a very private nickname”.
She said: “I don’t think it’s a good idea – I think it’s quite rude to Her Majesty Her Queen.
“It was a very private nickname from her husband who hasn’t been dead for very long.”
“Prince Charles would never dream of calling his mother Lilibet.”
On the name, Ms Levin continued:
“We knew what it was but it was his name – [the Duke of Edinburgh] wanted that name for her, it was a special name, I think it’s quite demeaning, I really believe that.”
She went on to say that Harry “did mention to his grandmother” that he was going to name his daughter after her “but I bet you he didn’t say I’m going choose Lilibet”.
Royal commentator Dickie Arbiter said he was “surprised” at the choice of name.
He said: “I’m surprised by Harry and Meghan’s choice of names for their daughter.
“It’s not unusual for families to name babies after a parent or grandparent.
“But given everything that’s gone on over the past few months, such as the interview with Oprah in March and Harry’s appearance on a mental health programme for Apple TV, I’m taken aback.
“In those interviews, Harry was very critical of his father and his upbringing so by default was also critical of the Queen.
“He moved to California to distance himself, but choosing this name is a complete about-face.
“So I wonder if taking the Queen’s nickname for his baby is an olive branch? Only Harry can answer that.
“The Queen gave herself the nickname Lilibet because she couldn’t say Elizabeth as a child, and it stuck. I think it’s rather cute.
“It could be seen as quite controversial to christen a baby with a nickname, and I doubt the little girl will grow up with any other Lilibets in her classes (although people in California call their children all sorts).
“So maybe that’s Harry and Meghan showing their independence again – just like Archie, another non-royal name.
“Choosing Diana’s name for their baby isn’t a surprise, as we all know Harry’s closeness to his mother was such that her loss has caused him mental issues even 24 years on.
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