Harry and Meghan accused of copyrighting child’s name – here’s how they responded

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their second child in 2021, they named her Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor—a choice that sparked controversy, with some critics claiming the couple tried to secure rights to the name before the baby was even born.

“Lilibet” was the cherished childhood nickname of Queen Elizabeth II, used only by her closest family members. It began when the young princess struggled to pronounce “Elizabeth,” and the affectionate variation stayed with her throughout her life.

After Harry and Meghan announced their daughter’s name, questions quickly surfaced about whether they had obtained the Queen’s permission. Though the couple said they had her blessing, royal author Robert Hardman wrote in Charles III: New King, New Court, The Inside Story that the Queen was privately furious.

Hardman claimed the late monarch once remarked that while she didn’t own her palaces or art, she did own her name—implying she felt Harry and Meghan had taken something deeply personal. Reports also suggested she felt unable to refuse their request, while the BBC stated the couple hadn’t consulted her at all.

In response, a spokesperson for the Sussexes insisted the Queen had been supportive, saying she was the first family member Harry called and that they would not have used the name without her approval.

Royal commentator Angela Levin later told GB News that Meghan had allegedly registered the name before the baby’s birth, calling the act “appalling” and hurtful to the Queen.

Levin argued that “Lilibet” carried intimate family meaning and was never intended for public or commercial use, adding that the Queen may have been distressed to see such a personal nickname treated like a brand.