Queen Elizabeth II 'threw her paper to the floor after she found out about Princess Lilibet's name'
The name Lilibet was a nickname given to Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth II was reportedly unhappy when she found out about Harry and Meghan’s daughter being named Lilibet.
Author Robert Jobson has divulged the claims in his new book, The Windsor Legacy: A Royal Dynasty of Secrets, Scandal and Survival.
Queen Elizabeth II’s ‘anger’ over Lilibet’s name
As reported by the MailOnline, Jobson has claimed that Queen Elizabeth was angry about how she discovered the news.
The late monarch allegedly read it in the papers, therefore finding out along with the rest of the world.
He claims that although the late queen had reportedly approved the name, “a palace source has a different version of events”.
He alleged that a source told him that the “queen first learned of Lilibet’s name from the morning press, and was so incensed at the affront that she threw the paper to the floor, startling her staff”.
A palace source seemed to confirm this at the time, telling the BBC that Harry had not consulted his grandmother about using her nickname for his daughter.
Despite the rumours, a spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex denied this.
Rumours surrounding Harry and Meghan’s decision
“The duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement, 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,” they stated, according to reports.
Royal Insider has contacted Buckingham Palace for comment.
Another royal author, Robert Hardman, has made similar claims.
He said in his 2024 biography, Charles III: New King, New Court. The Inside Story, that a member of staff spilled the beans on the queen’s rumoured anger at the time.
In his book, he alleged that the staff member had described the late monarch “as angry as I’d ever seen her”.
However, a source close to Meghan and Harry refuted the claims in 2024: “Meghan and Harry 100 percent got permission from the queen to use the name Lilibet.”
Harry and Meghan’s special tributes
The Sussexes said in a statement upon the arrival of their bundle of joy in June 2021: “Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet.
“Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honour her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.”
Those close to the late queen famously nicknamed her Lilibet. The use of the nickname implied a sense of closeness to the sometimes remote monarch.
Even her father, King George VI, used the nickname. He once said: “Lilibet is my pride. Margaret is my joy.”
Queen Elizabeth’s heartfelt Christmas card
Elsewhere, a Christmas card featuring the queen’s efforts to relate to the public with her moniker has recently been unearthed.
As of December 10, 2025, a sweet throwback of the queen and a young King Charles has been doing the rounds.
Following the king and queen’s release of their 2025 Christmas card, the Royal Trust took to social media to look back on Christmas cards issued by the royals over the years.
The carousel featured a black and white photograph of a young Princess Elizabeth with her parents and her sister Princess Margaret.
The second image saw Elizabeth beaming as she held a young Prince Charles, aged just one, perched upon her knee.
Finally, the third image saw a snap of a young King Edward VII.
How Queen Elizabeth signed off her Christmas cards
The Royal Trust detailed in the caption: “Yesterday the Royal Family released their Christmas cards for this year. Continuing the tradition of selecting favourite photographs for the occasion, we’re sharing three examples of cards they’ve sent or received over the years.
“This card shows George VI with his family, including the first royal corgi, Dookie. It was taken by Marcus Adams in 1938. Underneath the photo each person has signed the card.
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“10 years later Princess Elizabeth’s Christmas card shows her with her young son, Prince Charles, the future King Charles III.
“Crown Prince Olav, was King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra’s grandson, and became King Olav V. Captured by celebrated Norwegian photographer Anders Beer Wilse, it is addressed warmly to Queen Mary as ‘aunt May’, for Christmas 1917.”
Evidently, the unearthing of this Christmas card highlights how Queen Elizabeth signed off her Christmas cards with her nickname. Seemingly as a relatable gesture.
She also penned alongside her nickname: “Love and best wishes for Christmas.”
It also sheds light on just how special the moniker, Lilibet, was to the late Queen Elizabeth. Explaining why she may have felt displeased with Harry and Meghan using the name for themselves.
Especially if she discovered the news second-hand.
Prince Harry and Meghan now live in California with their two children, Prince Archie, six, and Lilibet, 4.
Read more: Meghan Markle’s incredibly close bond with father Thomas before rift erupted
So, what do you think? Was Queen Elizabeth right to be upset? Tell us on our Facebook page @RoyalInsider.
