New Delhi, India: A royal expert has revealed that Meghan Markle allegedly “copyrighted” the name Lilibet before the birth of her daughter, a move that has sparked further controversy. The bombshell claim comes amid allegations that Queen Elizabeth II was deeply angered when Prince Harry and Meghan announced they had been given the late monarch’s permission to name their daughter after her childhood nickname.
Lilibet, a nickname that was used affectionately by the Queen’s family, originated when she struggled to pronounce her own name as a child, and was later adopted by her family, including her grandfather, King George V. However, according to royal author Robert Hardman, writing in Charles III: New King, New Court, the Queen was reportedly furious when Harry and Meghan revealed that they had sought her blessing to use the name for their daughter.
According to an insider the Queen was “as angry as I’ve ever seen her” after hearing of the Sussexes’ announcement. Though the couple reportedly consulted the monarch, they did not seek formal permission to use the name, a claim later backed by the foreign media, which quoted a Palace source stating that the name had been used without official consent.
Everything you need to know about the copyright controversy
Angela Levin, a royal biographer and critic of the Sussexes, took the controversy a step further, claiming that Meghan had gone to the lengths of copyrighting the name Lilibet before her daughter’s birth. Speaking on the matter, Levin described the couple’s actions as “appalling,” adding that the Queen had been left “furious” over the situation.
When asked by presenter Eamonn Holmes whether Meghan had copyrighted the name, Levin confirmed, saying, “Yes,” suggesting that Meghan had taken legal steps to protect the name for personal use, including for business purposes.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s spokesperson had previously maintained that they received confirmation from the Queen regarding the name. However, when the BBC and other outlets reported that the Queen had not granted formal permission, the Sussexes’ lawyers sent legal letters disputing the claim and accusing the media of defamation.
The naming of Lilibet has become a symbol of the growing rift between Harry, Meghan, and the rest of the royal family. Following the birth of their daughter in California on June 4, 2021, the Sussexes were quick to announce the name, which some saw as a gesture of homage to the late Queen.
However, the lack of clarity surrounding whether the Queen had given her blessing, and the subsequent revelation about the copyright, has only added fuel to the ongoing royal drama.
According to Hardman’s account, the Queen was deeply hurt by the use of her childhood nickname in such a public manner, telling aides that while she did not “own the palaces or the paintings,” her name was one thing that was entirely hers. “And now they’ve taken that,” she was reportedly quoted as saying.
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