Reports have emerged that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have received legal threats following claims that they did not seek Queen Elizabeth II’s permission to use her childhood nickname, Lilibet, for their daughter’s name.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly engaged the law firm Shillings to send letters to publishers and broadcasters, including the BBC, refuting the allegations and demanding that they refrain from repeating them.
The late Queen was said to be furious about the use of her cherished nickname, which had been used by her parents, George VI and Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, as well as her sister Princess Margaret and her late husband, Prince Philip.
In his new book titled “Charles III, New King, New Court: The Inside Story,” Daily Mail writer Robert Hardman recounts the anger Queen Elizabeth II expressed in 2021 when the Sussexes announced that she had given her blessing to the name Lilibet for their baby daughter.
Hardman cites a member of the late Queen’s household who vividly recalled witnessing her intense anger.
Meghan and Harry responded to any doubts about their use of the name by threatening legal action against those who suggested they didn’t have the Queen’s permission.
However, their attempts to garner support from Buckingham Palace were unsuccessful, and their threats ultimately fizzled out without any libel actions being taken against the BBC.
The Sussexes’ spokesperson at the time emphasized that they would not have chosen the name if the Queen had not been supportive.
They revealed that Prince Harry had spoken with his family prior to the announcement, with his grandmother being the first family member he contacted.
During their conversation, he shared their desire to name their daughter Lilibet in honor of the Queen.
The spokesperson made it clear that had the Queen not been in favor of the name, they would not have used it.
As a result, legal letters were dispatched to broadcasters and publishers in defense of their decision.
The couple’s choice to use Queen Elizabeth II’s childhood nickname for their daughter garnered significant attention in 2021.
The BBC reported that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had not sought the late Queen’s permission to use the name, while other news outlets claimed that she felt compelled to give her consent.
The Archule Foundation reached out to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for comment, but no response has been provided thus far.
In conclusion, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle find themselves entangled in legal disputes after allegedly failing to obtain Queen Elizabeth II’s approval for their daughter’s name.
The late Queen’s anger over the use of her cherished childhood nickname has been revealed in a new book, with the Sussexes responding by issuing warnings of legal action.
Despite their efforts to secure support from Buckingham Palace, their threats ultimately dissipated, and no libel actions were pursued against the BBC.