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Harry did NOT get Queen's consent before naming their daughter Lilibet, claims BBC

Social media is '100% sure that the Queen would not have approved' after reports of Harry and Meghan not seeking permission came out

When Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced the birth of their daughter, there was an immediate uproar against the name they had given to the baby. Social media immediately dissected the name Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor to the last possible degree, with major backlash against the couple for using Queen Elizabeth's most popular nickname since childhood. There was frenzied speculation about whether Harry and Meghan had taken the Queen's permission before using her nickname after the explosive bombshell interview they gave, accusing racism within the royal family as one of the reasons behind 'Megxit'.

Royal experts had claimed at the time that Harry and Meghan did not seek any permission from the monarch, while other supporters argued they 'had [the Queen] not been supportive, they would not have used to name'. Days later, sources close to the palace have now told the BBC that the couple did not ask the Queen for permission to name their daughter Lilibet, despite Sussex spokespeople claiming they did.

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Queen was 'never asked' for opinion

Lilibet was a name coined by the 95-year-old Queen herself when she as a little child as she couldn't pronounce her name correctly. It was first used as a nickname by her grandfather King George VI and later, by her husband of over 70 years, the late Prince Philip. An insider close to the couple told the BBC that Harry had spoken to the Queen before the birth of his second child and 'would have mentioned' the name. But senior palace sources are now claiming, according to the BBC, that the Queen was "never asked" for her opinion on the couple's decision to use the nickname for their daughter before announcing it to the world.

Journalist Omid Scobie, favored by Harry and Meghan, however, claimed on Twitter: "A Sussex source says that the Queen was the first family Harry called after Lilibet’s birth and during that conversation, he shared the couple’s hope of naming their daughter in her honor. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name. Those close to Prince Harry confirm that he spoke to close family before the announcement so perhaps this report highlights just how far removed aides within the institution (who learned of the baby news alongside the rest of the world) now are from the Sussexes’ private matters".

'Shows how close they've always been'

In fact, when asked during a recent appearance on 'Good Morning America' whether this name is a sign of reconciliation after the explosive allegations the couple made on their Oprah Winfrey interview, Scobie claimed: "I don't know about an olive branch but it shows how close they've always been with the Queen." The Times also reported that it is understood that Harry had informed the Queen of the name, but reporting the same, Daily Mail notes: "but it is not clear how much notice she was given or if she learned before Lili arrived on Friday."

Royal expert Russell Myers had also previously shared, "I am told Harry had said to the Queen he may name a daughter after her and so he didn't really ask for permission as such but it was a nice surprise. It can perhaps have these healing powers, it's been a turbulent time, the truth bombs all the labeling of the royal family as racist — this seems to be a tremendous gesture."

'They only seek self gratification'

Social media, much like experts, was split. While one side argued they don't need to seek permission: "Of course they can and they do not need permission but it is a matter of respect for the Queen and politeness,...something in short supply with Prince Harry it would appear ...a few weeks ago he was telling the world how awful his family were ...does not add up really."

Others straight up called it "horrible" and "unsympathetic" of the couple to name their daughter without asking the Queen first. "I usually don't post about the Royal Family, but in all honesty, I really hope that Harry & Megan got permission from the Queen to use her nickname. Because nicknames can be very personal and may be tricky," tweeted a user. Another explained their argument, tweeting: "the use of the name, at least so close to Prince Philip 's death, has got to hurt."

Some were "100% sure that the Queen would not have approved of them making use of her private nickname. They are two very horrible and unsympathetic people who have no care for anyone’s feelings. They only seek self gratification, others be damned!" Others continued slamming the Sussexes, tweeting: "That doesn't surprise anyone since when does harry or megan ever ask anyone for permission to do what they please, to hell with the consequences, I'm sure the queen was and is not too pleased?"