Meghan Markle issues warning over baby names following late Queen's 'anger' over Lilibet decision
Princess Lilibet's name is a nod to the Queen
Meghan Markle has issued a firm piece of advice to expectant parents everywhere – keep your baby names private.
In the season finale of her podcast Confessions of a Female Founder, the Duchess of Sussex opened up about the emotional journey of motherhood and the lessons she learned the hard way when naming her own children.
Speaking with Spanx founder Sara Blakely, Meghan reflected on the personal nature of choosing names, whether for a business or a baby.
“It’s no different,” Meghan said. “I will say this to every woman in the world, or every person in the world who’s going to have a child. If you have an idea about what you are going to name that baby, you keep it so close to your heart until that baby is born and it’s named. Don’t ask anyone’s opinion.”
Her comments come after the controversy surrounding the name of her daughter, Princess Lilibet, a decision that, according to multiple royal insiders, left Queen Elizabeth II furious.
Queen Elizabeth was ‘angry’ over Lilibet’s name
When Harry and Meghan welcomed their daughter in June 2021, they announced she would be named Lilibet – which was the Queen’s childhood nickname.
At the time, the Sussexes claimed they had the late monarch’s blessing.
“The duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement,” a spokesperson said. “In fact, his grandmother was the first family member he called. During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honour. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.”
If you have an idea about what you are going to name that baby, you keep it so close to your heart until that baby is born and it’s named.
However, royal insiders have repeatedly challenged that narrative.
In Charles III: New King, New Court, royal author Robert Hardman claimed that a member of royal staff had said the Queen was “as angry as I’d ever seen her” following the Sussexes’ public claim.
Robert wrote that the palace “rebuffed” the couple’s attempts to get the royal family to support their version of events.
Nicky Haslam, a friend of Queen Camilla, echoed this sentiment. On The Third Act podcast in 2022, Nicky also claimed that Queen Elizabeth II was furious at the use of her private nickname.
At the time of Lilibet’s birth, the BBC also reported that a palace source insisted the Queen had not been asked for permission over the name.
Meghan’s remarks on baby names appear to be a subtle reflection on this experience.
Meghan Markle on names
Meghan’s advice is clear: keep your name choices private, whether it’s for a baby or a business.
She reflected on this while discussing the rebranding of her lifestyle brand. Originally named American Riviera Orchard, the company was later renamed As Ever.
“Last year, I had thought, American Riviera, that sounds like such a great name,” Meghan told her followers in an Instagram video earlier this year. “It’s my neighbourhood, it’s a nickname for Santa Barbara.
“But it limited me to things that were just manufactured and grown in this area. So I thought about it. I’ve been waiting for a moment to share a name that I had secured in 2022. This is the moment, and it’s called As Ever. As Ever essentially means as it’s always been.”
Archie and Lilibet’s names
Meghan and Harry’s choice of names for their children, Archie Harrison and Lilibet Diana, are subtle nods to their loved ones.
According to Finding Freedom, the couple wanted Archie’s name to be traditional but strong.
Archie’s middle name, Harrison, meaning “son of Henry” or “son of Harry”, is a subtle nod to his father. For Lilibet, her middle name honours Harry’s mother Princess Diana, who tragically died in 1997.
Read more: Meghan Markle opens up over weight gain while pregnant with Archie and Lilibet
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