Published 10 Jun, 2021 12:08pm

Harry and Meghan serve BBC legal notice for 'false and defamatory' reporting about their daughter's name

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are once again at odds with the British media, this time over the name of their newborn daughter. Their daughter is named Lilibet, which was the Queen's childhood nickname, and the BBC reported that the couple had not asked the Queen before naming their child. The couple has since slammed the network for "false and defamatory" reporting.

BBC reporter Jonny Dymond broke the news and also tweeted about it.

In the report, the Sussexes’ spokesperson was quoted as saying, “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.”

After the BBC’s report was picked up by some outlets, the couple’s London-based law firm Schillings sent a legal letter to the BBC.

The couple named their daughter Lilibet, or Lili for short, after Queen Elizabeth's self-appointed nickname. According to the BBC, when the Queen was a child she couldn't pronounce her own name and called herself Lilibet. It quickly developed into a nickname adopted by her close family, grandfather, father and even husband. The baby's middle name is Diana, named after her later grandmother Princess Diana.

Royal expert Katie Nicholl said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, "While this may have proved controversial, if we are to take it as a genuine mark of respect to the queen and the ultimate tribute to Harry's grandmother, then I think that suggests that the couple also are extending an olive branch." She believed this was proof that the two "want to make the peace."

The couple has fought with the media before, as Markle earlier accused them of racism in their reporting about her. She has since been fighting them in court and has seen recent success while pursuing The Mail for misreporting on a letter she sent to her father.

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