The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have hit back at suggestions the Queen had not been asked about using Lilibet, her pet name as a child, for their daughter.
A spokesman for the Sussexes insisted that the Duke did discuss his daughter’s name with his grandmother and would never have used it had she not been supportive.
But a Palace source has given a different account of events to the BBC, telling the corporation the Queen was “never asked” about its use.
The couple’s spokesman told The Telegraph: “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.”
It is not clear whether the conversation between Prince Harry and the Queen happened before the birth or between the birth and the announcement.
After the Duke and Duchess returned home from the hospital, the Queen was introduced to her namesake on a video call, a source told People magazine, adding: “They were very excited and couldn’t wait to share that their daughter arrived.”
On Tuesday, the Prince of Wales has described the birth of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s daughter as “happy news”.
Prince Charles commented on becoming a grandfather for the fifth time following the birth of Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor during a visit to a production plant for the Mini at Cowley near Oxford.
Meghan and Harry said it was a “very special time” and described the baby girl as “more than we could have ever imagined”.
Lili, a younger sister for the Sussexes’ two-year-old son Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, was born at 11.40am on Friday June 4 at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California weighing in at 7lb 11oz.
Lilibet is the Queen’s family nickname and the choice pays tribute to the monarch at a challenging time for the Windsors, who are mourning the loss of the Duke of Edinburgh.
They have also faced heartbreak and division after the Sussexes, who quit as senior working royals last year, plunged the monarchy into crisis with their bombshell Oprah Winfrey interview.
Harry made further controversial comments about his family in the following weeks, and has also experienced a long-running rift with his brother William.
William and Kate’s official Twitter account posted a message saying: “We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili. Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie.”
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall’s account also welcomed “baby Lilibet Diana”, adding: “Wishing them all well at this special time.”
The monarchy’s official Twitter account shared an image from Harry and Meghan’s wedding day, celebrated the arrival, and noted that the baby was the Queen’s 11th great-grandchild.
It also echoed an earlier statement from a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman, saying: “The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted with the news.”
In a message of thanks on their Archewell website, Harry and Meghan said: “On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili.
“She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we’ve felt from across the globe.
“Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.”
The Sussexes’ press secretary confirmed the baby had been named Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
She added: “Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home.
“Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty the Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet.
