Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have come under fire from Lady Colin Campbell, a well-known royal biographer and commentator, who has exposed what she claims to be the truth behind the name of their daughter, Lilibet.
The couple had previously stated that they named their baby girl after the late Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname was Lilibet, and that they had received her blessing for the choice.
However, Lady C, who has authored several books on the royal family including Meghan and Harry, has contradicted their account and accused them of deceiving both the Queen and the public.
According to Lady C, who spoke to the Daily Mail, Meghan and Harry did not seek the Queen’s permission to use her nickname; instead, they informed her of their decision after the fact.
Lady C remarked, “They are shameless and dishonest.
They did not ask the Queen for her permission, they told her what they had done.
They knew she would not object because she is too gracious and too polite.
But they also knew she would not be happy because Lilibet is a very personal and private name that only her closest family members used.
They exploited her name for their own benefit and lied about it to the public.”
Lady C further claimed that the Queen was deeply hurt by Meghan and Harry’s choice to use her nickname, which was exclusively used by her late husband, Prince Philip, who affectionately called her Lilibet from the early days of their courtship.
She added, “The Queen was very upset by their choice of name because it violated her privacy and dignity.
She felt that they had taken something precious and intimate to her and used it for their own agenda.
She believed they had no respect or regard for her feelings or wishes and had betrayed her trust and loyalty.”
Lady C also suggested that Meghan and Harry’s decision to use the Queen’s nickname was a calculated attempt to exploit her popularity and goodwill, while diverting attention from the criticism and backlash they faced following their explosive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.
During the interview, the couple made various allegations against the royal family and the British media.
Lady C stated, “They used the Queen’s name as a PR stunt and a bargaining chip, as a way to manipulate public opinion in their favor.
They wanted to show that they were still close to the Queen and had her support and approval.
They also aimed to distract from the damage they had caused to the royal family and the monarchy with their Oprah interview, which was full of lies and exaggerations.”
Lady C revealed that the Queen was not the only one outraged by Meghan and Harry’s name choice.
Numerous royal fans and commentators also expressed their displeasure and disbelief, accusing the couple of disrespect and hypocrisy.
They highlighted Meghan and Harry’s disregard for the Queen’s feelings and their use of her name as a publicity tool.
Moreover, they pointed out that the couple contradicted their own claims of desiring privacy and independence, instead leveraging their royal connections for personal gain.
The public reaction to the name announcement was overwhelmingly negative, with many royal fans and commentators expressing shock and dismay at the audacity and dishonesty displayed by the Sussexes.
Critics argued that Meghan and Harry showed no respect or gratitude towards the Queen, who had supported and welcomed them into the royal family, granting them unprecedented freedom and flexibility to pursue their own interests and goals.
They accused the couple of utilizing the Queen’s name as a PR tactic and attempting to manipulate public opinion in their favor.
Furthermore, they emphasized the inconsistency between the couple’s professed desire for privacy and independence and their exploitation of their royal ties for personal benefit.
The naming controversy has deepened the divide between Meghan and Harry and the rest of the royal family, who have been hurt and disappointed by their actions and words.
The King, in particular, has keenly felt the pain of his son’s estrangement and has made efforts to mend fences and restore trust.
Despite reaching out to Meghan and Harry on multiple occasions, the King has received little or no response.
He has even offered to meet them and their children, but his attempts have been rebuffed or ignored.
Recognizing that he cannot change their minds or hearts, he has decided to respect their choice and give them space, while hoping that one day they will reunite with the royal family.
In the meantime, he intends to focus on his own duties and responsibilities, leading the royal family and the monarchy.