Controversy Grows Around Meghan and Harry’s Choice of Daughter’s Name
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been the subject of renewed criticism as a result of a recent podcast comment regarding their daughter’s name.
Meghan Markle discussed baby-naming advice in a candid conversation that aired on May 27, which was perceived as ironic, if not hypocritical, by some.
The Duchess of Sussex, in an interview with Sara Blakely on her podcast “Confessions of a Female Founder,” sparked an online outcry as a result of previous disagreements regarding her daughter’s name, Lilibet, which is closely associated with Queen Elizabeth II.
In the season finale of “Confessions of a Female Founder,” the 43-year-old duchess engaged in a conversation with the founder of Spanx to investigate the similarities between maternity and entrepreneurship.
Meghan’s reflections on the initial pressures of launching a brand and raising children in the face of intense public scrutiny rapidly transformed the conversation into a personal one.
“You are asking, ‘What are your thoughts?'” The Duchess of Sussex stated. She then cautioned against soliciting the opinions of others on matters that are exceedingly intimate, such as the determination of a baby’s name.
“It is no different — I will say this to every woman in the world or every person in the world who is expected to have a child — if you have an idea about what you are going to name the baby, you keep it so close to your heart until the baby is born and named.” She continued, “Do not solicit the opinions of others.”
Her comments were particularly significant because of the high-profile names of her children: Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie.
Social media platforms experienced an instantaneous surge in responses subsequent to the episode’s broadcast.
Following the couple’s 2021 decision to name their daughter Lilibet—Queen Elizabeth II’s personal family nickname—a number of admirers and critics recalled the controversy that ensued.
Some individuals online have pointed out the contradiction between Meghan’s advice on infant naming and her own actions.
One individual commented, “It is amusing that they publicly announced that they had obtained permission to use the name.” It has been discovered that they did indeed plunder. Yet another fabrication has been exposed.
Another netizen added, “Like the one that she stole from the Queen?” in posts labeling Meghan’s comment “Her No. 1 Rule for Baby Names.”
A viewer submitted the following comment: “Without her knowledge, appropriate your husband’s grandmother’s private nickname.” That is the action you take.
Another comment reiterated the sentiment: “What, steal the Queen’s personal private nickname.” The decision was questioned by others, who made comments such as, “Should you marry Royal and name your children after your in-laws?”
A netizen inquired, “Is it permissible to steal your mother-in-law’s beloved pet name, Lilliibet?”
A Reddit commenter expressed a more skepticism regarding the sanction, stating, “I believe they fabricated the information.”
“A woman who named her son ‘Archie’ should not be giving baby name advice. 🤣” was a critique of Meghan’s authority to provide advice on baby naming.
Nevertheless, not all feedback was unfavorable. Her sentiments and naming choices were endorsed by a small number of supporters. One individual composed, “I am fond of her baby names.”
In the interim, another individual defended her podcast advice, stating, “This is sound advice…there will always be one individual who does not approve of the name(s) you have selected.
Rather than listening to complaints or other suggestions for an extended period of time, simply keep it to yourself until the baby is born!”
There were also expressions of goodwill, with one fan commenting, “Aw! 😍the kids are growing up so fast and the little I can see I bet they are precious and beautiful 🤩 May God bless them always.”
Another individual commented, “I love this and exactly what we are going to do when we become pregnant with number three, because everyone and their mother had an issue with the names we wanted.” [sic]”
On June 4, 2021, Prince Harry and Meghan announced the arrival of their daughter with a joyous fanfare and a sincere message from Archewell.
The couple declared that they were paying tribute to both Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana by naming their infant Lilibet Diana.
Their official statement clarified that the name “Lili” was a tribute to the Queen’s childhood nickname, which she devised when she was unable to pronounce the name “Elizabeth” accurately.
That moniker was a term of profound familial affection, reserved for close relatives, including Prince Philip.
Multiple sources provided conflicting accounts regarding whether the Queen had given her sanction shortly after the name was announced.
Pages Six reported that Prince Harry had conferred with his grandmother beforehand and had obtained her consent.
The BBC, however, contradicted this statement just days later, citing a Palace source who maintained that the Queen had not been conferred regarding the use of her nickname.
The Sussexes promptly refuted this narrative by employing a spokesperson and their law firm, Schillings. They maintained that Harry had, in fact, conversed with his grandmother and would not have used the name without her assistance.
The statement stated that the duke communicated with his family prior to the announcement, with his grandmother being the initial individual he contacted.
The Queen had been informed prior to the public announcement, according to them, and had not objected.
Public skepticism persisted, regardless of the rebuttals. The Queen’s nickname bore significant emotive significance; it was employed on private occasions, such as when she signed “Lilibet” on the funeral wreath for Lord Mountbatten.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been subjected to persistent public and media criticism since they withdrew from royal responsibilities in 2020.
Their every action, particularly any that appears to link them to the British monarchy, frequently rekindles unresolved tensions.
The emotional significance of the name Lilibet has been further accentuated by the departure of Queen Elizabeth II in Balmoral on September 8, 2022.
Meghan and her husband are once again the subject of public scrutiny as a result of Meghan’s advice, which has reignited criticism.
It is unsurprising that individuals were offended by that particular statement, given the history.
