Meghan and Harry ‘put great weight’ on baby Lilibet with name, expert says

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's baby daughter's name will carry "great weight" when she is older, a royal expert has claimed.

The couple announced the birth of Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor last weekend – naming her after the Queen's childhood nickname.

Her Majesty, 95, reportedly called herself Lilibet when she was a child because she couldn't pronounce Elizabeth.

But it has stuck with her ever since, with members of the Royal Family said to often refer to her by the pet name.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex also revealed they chose Lilibet in honour of their daughter's great-gran.

The monarch is understood to have been delighted with their decision, but not everyone believes it was a wise choice.

Royal historian Robert Lacey fears the name selection could carry a "great weight" as she grows up.

"This little American girl is being brought up free of old-fashioned tradition," he told People magazine.

"To be compared to the Queen, the most successful female monarch in British history, is a great weight.

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"It will be one of the first things that will be explained to her when she's old enough."

However, the name has already hit the headlines over whether the royal pair sought permission from the Queen before they chose the name, the Express reports.

A spokesperson for the couple said that during a conversation with the Queen, Harry "shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour".

They added: "Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name."

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Shortly after Lilibet's birth was announced, the monarchy's official Twitter account shared an image from Harry and Meghan's wedding day to celebrate the arrival, while also mentioning that the baby was the Queen's 11th great-grandchild.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman also said: "The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted with the news."

Prince William and Kate's official Twitter account also posted a message after the news was announced.

They said: "We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili. Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie."

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And Prince Charles and Camilla also welcomed "baby Lilibet Diana", as their official account posted: "Wishing them all well at this special time."

Harry's cousin Princess Eugenie shared her delight at the news soon after too, as she posted on Instagram: "Congratulations dear cousins…we couldn't be happier for you all", followed by a string of heart emojis.

Some royal commentators said the name could have been an olive branch to the Royal Family following their bombshell interview with US chat show host Oprah Winfrey in March.

During the interview, they accused one unnamed royal of making a racist remark about their oldest son Archie's skin tone before he was born.

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They also said Meghan's pleas for help when she felt suicidal were ignored.

Buckingham Palace said after the interview was aired that they were "saddened by the claims".

But they added that "recollections may vary".

It read: "The issues raised, particularly that of race, are concerning. While some recollections may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately."

In a message of thanks on their Archewell website on Sunday, Harry and Meghan said: "On June 4, 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."

Buckingham Palace said it had no comment.

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