The late Queen Elizabeth was infuriated by Harry and Meghan Markle's claim that she had approved of them naming their daughter Lilibet, a new book reports.
In 2021, Harry and Meghan announced the birth of their daughter, saying in a statement that she was named after the Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet.
However, a new autobiography by royal journalist Robert Hardman says the late queen was “angrier than ever” after the couple declared they had “supported” the name.
The book, which is currently being serialized in the daily mailIt also claims that the Sussexes were “rejected” by Buckingham Palace when asked to publicly back up their claim.
Lilibet was born in California on June 4, 2021 and was named after the affectionate nickname of the late Queen Elizabeth.
(Misan Harriman/Duke and Duchess of Sussex/EPA)
The book says: “One in private [member of palace staff] He recalled that Elizabeth II had been “angrier than ever” in 2021 after the Sussexes announced that she had given them her blessing to name their baby daughter “Lilibet”, the Queen's childhood nickname.
“The couple subsequently issued 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 supporting their version of events, they were rebuffed.”
Shortly after Lilibet's name was announced, the BBC reported that a palace source said that “the Duke and Duchess of Sussex did not ask the Queen about their daughter Lilibet's name.”
Harry and Meghan reportedly threatened legal action against the BBC after they reported that a palace source said the Queen was not asked about the name.
(AP)
As a result, the couple accused the broadcasters of defamation but, according to Hardman, the threat of legal action “evaporated and the defamation action against the BBC never materialised”.
At the time, Harry and Meghan's spokesperson said: “The Duke spoke to his family before the announcement; in fact, his grandmother was the first family member he called.
“During that conversation, he shared his hope to name his daughter Lilibet after her. “If she hadn’t been supportive, they wouldn’t have used the name.”
Lilibet was the late queen's childhood nickname that was reportedly only used by her parents, Princess Margaret and Prince Philip, and a few close friends.
Hardman is best known for his work on the royal family. He has worked for daily mail since 2001 and wrote the 2022 Sunday Times Book of the Year, Queen of our times.
Other revelations in the book include new insight into Harry's relationship with his father, King Charles.
He says that while the King was “extremely vocal” about distancing himself from Harry, he now feels that “he's done what he can and now he's King, there's a lot more to think about.”
The book claims that Prince William felt the suggestion that he had married Princess Catherine because she “fit the mold” was “the lowest of the low.”
(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
However, the book also quotes a senior official who said Charles would “always” leave the door open for his youngest son.
The book also says that neither King Charles nor Prince William have read Harry's memoirs. Replacementbut the staff has informed them of the “key points.”
The Independent has contacted Buckingham Palace for a response to the book's revelations.
Charles III: new king. New Court. The Inside Story by Robert Hardman will be out in hardcover on January 18.
