Sunday 6 June 2021

"More Than We Could Have Ever Imagined": Harry & Meghan Welcome Baby Lilibet Diana

Wonderful news to share today! Harry and Meghan welcomed their daughter to the world on Friday 4 June at 11.40 am at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, named for her great-grandmother and grandmother, weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and baby are "healthy and well" and "settling at home". A statement from the delighted parents read: "On June 4th, 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 official statement from Archewell was accompanied with a personal message from their team. "All of us at Archewell wish the Duke and Duchess the very best during this special time as a family."

“It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world. Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA.

She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. 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. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.

This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family.”

I think we all knew Diana was almost a certainty for the little one's name -- a touching tribute to the grandmother Baby Lili sadly will never have the opportunity to meet. Continuing his mother's legacy is very much at the forefront of Harry's mind, and at times like this she'll be foremost in his thoughts. Below, the late princess leaving the Lindo Wing with Harry in 1984.

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Ella Brockway shared this fascinating nugget: on 4 June 1996, the late Princess Diana visited Northwestern University, and twenty-five years later, her daughter-in-law, a Northwestern graduate would give birth to her granddaughter.

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Choosing to honour the Queen with their daughter's name is a testament to the respect and love the couple have for the monarch and, I believe, sign of the strength and warmth of their relationship. Both Harry and Meghan have spoken with such affection for the Queen. I have no doubt they look forward to introducing her to her namesake and eleventh great-grandchild. As a child, the Queen was called Lilibet by her parents, with her father King George VI famously saying of his daughters "Lilibet is my pride. Margaret is my joy." In her youth she would sign letters to loved-ones with the sweet nickname. Most poignantly, it was the name Prince Philip so often used for the Queen since the very beginning of their courtship.

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Meghan's mother Doria has long called her 'Flower'; now Meghan has a daughter named Lili.

For those wishing to mark the day by donating, the couple have chosen organisations closest to their hearts that support and uplift women around the world: Girls Inc., Harvest Home, CAMFED or Myna Mahila Foundation.

I know you'll all join me in congratulating Harry and Meghan on the safe arrival of their daughter. With big brother Archie and Lili home, their family is complete. The days and weeks to come will be filled with private time and making happy memories. They deserve every joyous moment with Archie and Lili.

73 comments:

  1. Happy news! I hope they can get to enjoy this special time in privacy, although part of me hopes to see a picture (maybe Archie holding his baby sister in a few weeks). Personally, I would have named her Lili instead of Lilibet. But it is nice tribute. Wishing them lots of happiness with their completed family!

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    1. Personally, I feel that Lilibet should remain a special nickname of the Queen, and therefore, I'd also have preferred Lili. Regardeless of my opinion, I'm sending all my congratulations to Meghan and Harry. And welcome to the world, Lili!

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    2. I also love the name and spelling of lili, and I think Lili Mountbatten-Windsor and Archie & Lili sound really good! I expected a nod to Diana, which is lovely. I personally wouldn’t have chosen lilibet for any of the family members to use for a daughter as it seems an intimate name for the queen, but I can see why they might have with the spelling being closer to Lili than Elizabeth would be. Either way she will clearly be referred to as a Lili, which is darling.

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    3. May be in the minority but I would agree with both of you. While I completely understand the nod and the uniqueness of the name, would have preferred just Lili as well. The special nickname of the Queen seems like it should remain hers. But Lili is beautiful and matches well with Archie! Happy family!

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  2. How exciting! What a special time for the family! Sweet name, and I love the "Flower" connection that you pointed out, Charlotte. Congratulations 🎉 -op

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  3. Sheryl from BC Canada6 June 2021 at 18:41

    Oh! Big Congratulations on the safe delivery of your precious daughter. Welcome to the world Lilibet "Lili" Diane. A beautiful name and not surprising that the Duke and Duchess have paid homage to some of the mainstays of his family this way. Bless your daughter and son and much happiness to your own perfect family now.

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    1. Amen ..God bless Lili-D end her family

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  4. Welcome to the world Lili Diana! Wish you lots of love, snuggles, and kisses with Mama, Papa, Archie, Doria, Guy and Pula. Congratulations to the family!

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  5. What wonderful news!! I LOVE her name. Such a nice and heartfelt nod to both Prince Harry’s grandmother and mother. I love that both Prince Harry and Prince Williams daughters share the middle name Diana…along with nicknames that start with L “Lili” and “Lottie” - such a special time for everyone. Congratulations to Harry and Meghan!!

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    1. I thought about that! I would not be sad to someday see cousin outings with Lili and Lottie!

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  6. Becca in Colorado6 June 2021 at 19:33

    It seems like this time around, they’re enjoying the moment as they should, with peace and utter joy. I’m so happy for them. Lili’s name is a perfect tribute!

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  7. I love the name! Archie and Lili sound great together.

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  8. Denise in Virginia6 June 2021 at 19:48

    What wonderful news today, thank you Charlotte for all the details! So happy for Meghan and Harry and Archie 💖💖💖. I'm wishing all the best for their beautiful family. Love love love the name, Harry and Meghan always have deeper meanings behind any choice they make, Lili Diana is a lovely tribute to the Queen and Princess Diana. Saw a tweet from Terry McMillan suggesting baby Lili's nickname might be "Little Bit ", that was my nickname so I guess I'm a little biased, but I think it's adorable. Peace and happiness to the Sussex Family!!

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  9. Lilibet Diana is perfect. I love the sound, the poetry and the beautiful, poignant history of this name.
    Congratulations to Meghan & Harry on their lovely family!
    Renee

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  10. Charlotte
    Thank you for sharing the 4 June 1996 connection with Princess Diana and Lilibet Diana’s birthday!
    Wonderful!
    Renee

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  11. Congratulations to Meghan, Harry, Archie and Grandma Doria and of course Guy and Pula!! I am so thrilled that they were able to keep the birth private and announce it when they felt comfortable doing so. I am so surprised by the names and think they are just lovely!! As with everything M&H do, they were chosen with care and love. I do like that M&H are already making certain that everyone knows that their daughter will go by Lili, a sweet little flower just like her mother!

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  12. Delighted for them and even more so that they got to announce it their way.

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  13. OMG! What a beautiful name! Congratulations.

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  14. Interesting choice. I was rather hoping for "Isabelle Diana," "Isabelle" being a frequently-used royal name derived from the same ancient Hebrew name ("Elisheva") as "Elizabeth," but I can't object to "Lilibet". I'm also very glad that they did NOT use "Diana" as a first name. It would have been too much of a burden. I'm sure that some people will accuse the Sussexes of toadying to the Queen with this choice, but as someone whose own, real-life nickname is "Lili," I have to say that I like it!

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    1. I completely agree. I could understand Diana but with the constant comparison to Grandma, that would be a lot on little shoulders.

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  15. Jessica in Los Angeles6 June 2021 at 20:35

    I have a random question and am wondering if anyone knows. For their US drivers licenses and Lili’s birth certificate, do they put their names as Henry and Rachel Mountbatten-Windsor? I thought Harry and William used “Wales” as a last name in school. I know that they can use Mountbatten-Windsor for legal things, but in Great Britain, it seems like they can use “Prince Harry” or “Meghan, Duchess of Cambridge” as their legal names on birth certificates. I think that’s what Will and Kate did. But the US would require last names. There’s no birth certificate for Harry that has Mountbatten-Windsor as a last name, and I’m not sure what Meghan’s legal name would have been after the marriage. I wonder what their official papers (licenses, visa, passport) all say.

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    1. They have options. It's true that the territorial designations attached to British titles can indeed be used as de facto surnames, which is why Prince Edward's wife is often referred to as "Sophie Wessex" and why Prince George and Princess Charlotte are called George and Charlotte Cambridge at school. However, that's really a British usage. In the US, they might have decided to use (for driver's licenses, for example) whatever's on their passports. It would make the most sense. As for the baby's birth certificate, American parents can give their child whichever surname they prefer, whether double-barreled or the mother's surname or the father's. We'll have to wait and see what they choose.

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    2. Whatever is the legal civil name would be used for legal documents in the US. Some European countries also banned the use of hereditary title on legal documents. People can make use of them to impress others of course. The UK is a bit of an exception. House of Lords members, for example, are allowed to use the title officially on documents, hence the fire sales these days attracting wealthy donors like Russian Oligarchs to gain peerage to the House of Lords. Honestly, I blame American rich industrialists and British death duties. We’ve been sending our rich youngsters historically across the pond to marry blue bloods, fix leaky roofs and damp manors so it’s no wonder the world’s monied class from Saudi Arabia to China and Russia wants similar feudal with modern amenities lifestyle of the manor born in England. After all, England’s icon, Churchill is half American.

      https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/04/world/house-of-lords-boris-johnson.html

      The only Prince I know is legally named “Prince”. It’s not a title. That’s his name.

      I love Lili as a name. Archie and Lili. Perfect.

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    3. Russian oligarchs are not being awarded peerages in the UK and cannot serve in the House of Lords. They are not British citizens. And the reason titles can be used on official documents in the UK is that the UK still has a legally-recognized hereditary aristocracy. Some other countries (Austria, for example) have done away with them, made them illegal, so while the titles may be used in certain social circumstances, they cannot be used officially. The UK has not legally abolished the peerage. By the way, the days of rich American young women marrying into the British peerage in order to shore up the family fortunes are really long past. That was largely a phenomenon of the late 19th/early 20th century.

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    4. Well it’s easy for the rich to buy citizenship in the UK.

      https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jul/04/golden-visa-immigration-deal-british-citizenship-home-office

      It’s not unique in this. The UK has made such things easy along with parking billions of money in real estate speculation in the UK, and outright money laundering.

      https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-natwest-regulator/britains-natwest-bank-faces-money-laundering-charges-idUSKBN2B80RH

      The UK preserves the peerage and awards peerage to commoner. It’s turned into quite a rigged and crony system. By doing so, it reinforces the stranglehold of the class system.

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    5. Susan in Florida8 June 2021 at 00:51

      Jessica : a birth certificate in the USA and other documents require a person’s true legal names. Titles are not used in the USA on documents. They would be Henry and Rachel Mountebatten-Windsor, unless she had a legal name change.

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    6. Very few hereditary peerages are awarded these days. The peerages awarded are almost all life peerages, which cannot be passed on to an heir. They exist solely for the holder's lifetime. They are awarded for great accomplishment and/or service to the nation. If you look closely into who receives life peerages, you will see that is the case. As for citizenship, do, please, list the Russian oligarchs and other foreigners who have purchased British citizenship, been awarded peerages, and are supposedly serving in the House of Lords.

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    7. Try Baron Evgeny Lebedev. Who happens to be a good friend of the current PM who nominated him for life peerage. The Baron’s father is high up in the Russian oligarchy and was an ex KGB agent.

      And this from British Intelligence long-delayed report.
      https://www.forbes.com/sites/oliverwilliams1/2020/07/21/uk-faces-russian-threat-from-within-its-own-borders/?
      sh=2b28ebcfc32b

      The problem is the House of Lords is an institution that needs to go away. It has a long and ignoble history. Whether it’s was meant for hereditary British peerage or in its present form, a way to award family member or quid pro quo friends and allies, the whole set up is ripe for corruption and abuse. Presently, the House of Lords has nearly 800 members and growing. Only the Chinese Assembly is larger with 3000 party members. The House of Commons, which is the legislative workhorse, is capped at 600.

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    8. I’ve no doubt that Meghan will retain her current passport. I work for a major international airline, people often got this wrong. We don’t care what your name is, but the name in your reservation must be exactly the same as your passport.

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  16. Congratulations Harry, Meghan, and Archie.
    It feels as if the daughter's name is building bridges for peace.
    It is also a beautiful name

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    1. Exactly what I thought; the choice of these 2 first names are a symbol of Peace and Love to which we can not remain insensitive, it is so touching.
      If I had bet for the choice of first names and even up to the small name "Lili", I would have won the jackpot because to my foreboding gave me all these all these 3 names. 3 very common names that are not my favorite, but that here I adore so much for the symbolism.
      Welcome, wonderful Lili our ray of peace and congratulations to the Sussex family and the Windsor-Mountbatten royal family in general. GOD bless, Love You.

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  17. This is so exciting and I'm so glad mom and baby are doing well! So glad they had their privacy, just like the other nonworking grandchildren. (I think all royal mothers should have privacy but that seems impossible.) I just love Lilibet -- I have always liked that name, and Lili is a lovely name for a child and an adult. I didn't actually see Diana being used but it makes sense -- Diana has and will likely have only two granddaughters. It is fitting they should each have her name. It would be lovely to see a family portrait in many not too many months from now. And I'm glad that Harry can (I assume) be free from worry to go to the unveiling of his mother's statue. Such good news!!

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    1. I agree I really wish they would do away with the post birth photo calls for the working royals or direct line heirs. It’s a relatively new convention, the Queen certainly never did such a thing. I always got the impression Kate probably felt pretty Good, and I certainly don’t want to take away from her agency if she was comfortable to do it, but it still just strikes me as so inhumane. I’d love to see it either done away with completely or something a bit more informal/private like the Swedes do. More of an inside snapshot and mom and dad dressed down and relaxed and no crowd. The dressed up before the wall of cameras is just… frightening on some level.

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  18. I thought the Instagram congratulations from K&W was particularly sweet! And I love seeing "Lilibet Diana" written!

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  19. I cannot love this name more! I appreciate the nod to HM and Diana. But also, Lili is her own name and can be her own person.

    And before anyone can start whining(not necessarily anyone here but just in general), of the 11 female descendants from HM, 8 have Elizabeth in their name. The ones that don’t are families that have two girls. So it’s not ‘sucking up’ or ‘trading on the RF’, it’s just following family tradition.

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    1. Lol.... I confess to having a few of those thoughts - your comment re the multiple times the Queen has been honored by her family to have her name used quickly put me straight.

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    2. Good point, Katie. I did wonder (idly, not meanly) why Meghan's family was left out of the name - though the Lili/Flower connection is great. I had hoped for a nod to Doria, but perhaps Lili works there. Archie's name was a unique choice, so - I dunno! Just musing:) -op

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    3. I think it would have been nice if Doria was added but then they would have been criticized for elevating a commoner next to the royals and god forbid, if Doria’s name was before the other two. There’s no winning for this family. Given how nasty the British press have been drumming up the hate, would Doria even want that spotlight?

      The baby, not even a week ago, already faced racist ridicule and trolling by British journalists. The same journalists who praised the white royal members profusely, with loving tours of their manor homes and coyly throwing out leading questions so shades can be thrown at the dreadful American and the addled ginger. “Oprah who?” Teehee.

      The Palace is as usual silence about the abuse which means these media trolls will be even more vicious toward this family.

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  20. Congratlations to Harry, Meghan, Archie, Doria and all. What joyous news! I love Lili's names. Archie and Lili is darling. I'm thrilled they got to do this in privacy, and to announce it when they wished, with no posing for photos. I wish their sweet family every happiness.

    R

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  21. Congratulations to the Sussexes! Happy that baby Lili and mom are safe and healthy. As you said Charlotte they deserve every joyous moment.

    Lindsey M

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  22. So happy for them! Congratulations to the Sussex royal family. Praying for the continued health and happiness of all Sussex family members and honestly totally hoping the Duke and Duchess change their mind about not wanting any more children and bless this world with more lovely Sussex babies in the future but yeah...back to the big news: welcome to the world baby Lili!

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  23. This is wonderful news! Welcome to the world, Lilibet Diana! Congratulations to Harry & Meghan, Archie, and the extended family.

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  24. so glad to hear the baby was born healthy and the name is a beautiful tribute to 2 amazing women! Diana is smiling down.

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  25. Welcome Baby Lili and congratulations Sussexes! So very happy for them. It's amazing to me how they were able to keep the big news secret for two whole days without anyone leaking anything. I'm glad they're finally getting the little bit of privacy they longed for although I must admit I'm dying to see baby Lili...seriously anything will do...her feet, her hands, her profile...maybe on Father's Day? Pretty please?

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  26. Congratulations Meghan, Harry and Archie. What a joyful time it must be for them. 🍾🎉🧸

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  27. Congratulations for Duke and Duchess od Sussex 😀
    I like the name but I don't understand why they didn't honor grandmother Doria top 😕

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    1. I was thinking the same about honoring Doria, but really, it's not my concern what H and M name their child or who they name her after. Just a guess, but Doria seems to me to be a very private person, so maybe she didn't want any added attention? Many children are also named after relatives on one side of the family and not the other and it's not usually perceived as a slight or insult. Of the four kids in my immediate family I am the only girl and on my father's side they only daughter out of all his siblings (boys run strong haha). I was named after my mom's aunt and my middle name is my mom's mother's name. Even so, my dad's mom was never offended her name wasn't included and I had a great relationship with her as well as my maternal grandma.

      Ramona

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    2. Sometimes you have to consider the name rather than the namesake! It's usual in the US to have only one middle name, so not adding Doria seems reasonable. And Doria is still a vital part of Meghan's life. Diana isn't, and the Queen won't see Lili grow up.

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  28. I was so warmed by Eugenie's congratulations to her "dear cousins." That was SO sweet and so endearing, to include Meghan as her "cousin." I feel that August will get to know his US cousins. And again, I thought the congratulations from K&W went beyond what is polite, referring to "baby Lili" was just so precious. A very happy time and it would be delightful to have a family-of-six photo some time in the future.

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  29. Regarding not honoring Doria, it could be that they are honoring those who won't be in Lili's life. Maybe Doria doesn't want a little "Doria." Maybe Harry is so sentimental about the 2 women who raised him that Meghan is happy to have them honored. If they had multiple middle names, they could add that, but I bet Doria is fine with the name.

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    1. Meghan is very close to her mom. I am sure Doria approved the name, she also had an aunt named Lillie. I think they chose the name very carefully.

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  30. Susan in Florida8 June 2021 at 00:53

    I knew her middle name would be Diana. Why shouldn’t it be ? I’m glad they waited to announce the birth.

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  31. All I can say is I’m so glad M&H left the life of the working royals. It wasn’t 24 hour and a well known Telegraph journalist, Julie Burchill, let loose on Twitter with this: “ What a missed opportunity. They could have called it Georgina Floydina!” She goes on to suggest the baby’s first words would be: “free Palestine!” Then when she got pushback for being inappropriate and racist, she tweeted she was going to leave Twitter because people were treating like Hitler.

    This is a journalist employed by a broadsheet the Telegraph, which is like the American New York Times or Wall Street Journal. This journalist attacked fellow journalist accusing her of “worshipping a pedophile” and worst things. She had to pay hefty damages and apologized. I don’t understand how British media refuse to owe up to the institutional racism and misogyny?! That a powerful broadsheet like the Telegraph tolerates this type of journalism and the British press makes excuses for such behavior and refuses to self-check for biases and racism demonstrates the failure of the British media.

    This tolerance for bad rubbish and real societal harm is the deal the royal family made with the British press.

    -royal media watcher



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    1. This! You said it all perfectly. I was shocked when I saw that. Disgusting behavior towards a newborn baby and disrespect to a man who was murdered. I don't care if she thinks it's just "poking fun", it is NOT funny. Reminded me of when Archie was born and that BBC journalist tweeted "royal baby leaving the hospital" with that picture of the monkey.

      Ramona

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    2. British media culture can be appalling, and you're right, it's not merely the trashy tabloids that participate in its worst excesses. We have nothing like it in the US. As someone who's spent much time in the UK and loves and admires much of British culture, I have to say that I couldn't blame the Sussexes for turning their backs on British media, even though I think they've made some mistakes of their own in the process. It's been quite interesting to observe the media's furious, indignant response to being told where to stick it. They are not accustomed to that. As for racism, my experience has been that many Europeans do have a problem facing up to their own countries' racist histories and current issues. As a French academic commented not too long ago, "We have terrible racial problems here. We just don't want to talk about them." We have terrible problems in the US, too, but at least we admit them; at least we are open about them. That is, perhaps, the only saving grace.

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    3. Well, the person in question has lost her job with the Telegraph over it. So I don’t think it’s fair to say the Telegraph welcomed or tolerated racism.

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    4. I, too, have wondered on this blog, how British society tolerates it's press. It's beyond...beyond... no words.

      And yes, it's difficult to understand how the Royal Family, which wants to be seen as so perfect, depends on this disgusting institution.

      It's all quite mind boggleling to me.

      R

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    5. She was fired from the Telegraph. People like her and Piers like to make degrading comments but hate the criticism.

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    6. That "teasing" was simply horrifying to me -- in the US, we had the opportunity to watch the trial of Chauvin, which involved the several videos of George Floyd being murdered on a street in front of a crowd. It was horrible and sickening. I wish I could say that everyone in the US had my reaction, but they didn't.

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  32. Wow congrats on the birth of new daughter ❤️ harry Meghan archie I'm sure their cousin in the UK will meet her one day

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  33. The name has a nice ring to it. I am sure HMTQ is happy about the choice (and if not she will have hidden it well as all well mannered adults would). What I find truly disturbing are tons of tweets of erratic H&M fans that are claiming the name was in regards to Doria or some aunt all while complaining ignoring their literal statement. All because they have made up that horrible narrative about the Queen, which has no foundation in what H&M said, but they interpreted their claims in such way.
    I honestly don’t think the Lili - Flower theory holds up. If that was the intention her nickname would be Lily. And they surely would have put it in their explanation as well. As of now, there is not the tiniest evidence they tried to honour Doria or make that connection. Which as fine, I don’t think Doria needs that to built a strong bond but I am surprised why people cannot just take what they themselves said and have to construct something out of thin air with it. They chose to not make any connections to her family with both their children’s names. Millions of people don’t. Doesn’t mean there is anything amiss.
    I will say, I was surprised Eugenie only put her congratulations in a story and not in the feed. The others clearly show that they still try to figure out how to deal with the situation on their professional accounts. That’s my POV. If they had private ones they probably would have put more relaxed messages there. Well, I guess they put them only out for their followers really and talked to the happy parents in person per videocall.
    C.

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  34. Diana Elizabeth "Lili" Doria would have been my choice, had I been them. I'm not sure how I feel about using the Queen's nickname. Having said that, I agree with the posters above that Eugenie's congratulations were very sweet, as were the Cambridge's.

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    1. Well, it’s their choice not ours. Lilibet is a very sweet name, it’s not just a nickname, people used it for years.

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  35. I’m catching up on news today and I am stunned at the bbc and any Uk media and their stupidity in relying on anonymous palace sources. I hope the palace source is identified and fired and the bbc forced to issue an apology. It’s clear that the palace staff have a cancer within who are hell bent on ruining the Sussex’s but what they are forgetting is ultimately they are damaging the entire family. In this case the palace seniors probably didn’t know about the call as Harry now calls his family direct and without appointment and schedulers. Now of course the Sussex’s get neg press again because it’s a war against the bbc.... never mind that the Sussex’s have literally done everything possible to beg them peacefully to stop. And for the record I am not team Sussex, team Cambridge or team Royal. I am anti bully and right now the press and public are bullying all of them and sucking the joy out of everything they are trying to do in both their private and public lives.

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    1. Absolutely agree. All this bullying is sickening.

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    2. Yup, the whole thing escelated quickly. The BBC, despite recent findings, are a renowned news agency. One of the best in the world. Their reputation is still extremly good. They are not just another tabloid, even though I am sure they are not putting their big figures into in the superficial reporting about celebrities or family dramas but to the important political and sociological topics.
      I am so confused. Why even adress that articele? Who really cares at that point if they asked for permission or not. Does it make a difference to anyone? Critics will continue to dislike, fans will continue to love. I don't think anything will make people leave their bubble at this point.
      The BBC wouldn`t have let it stand if they didn't think they had a reliable source. BP will proobably not comment on a family matter. Fisr of all it is really inconseqiential and secondly it is no ones business if she explicitly gave permission or not. If she was happy about it or felt pressured into agreeing (I mean who would tell fresh parents you don't like their choice especially if you realsie they think they are doing something sweet?).
      In the end the whole drama is a massive loss on the personal family front but a big win for the BRF and H&M professionally. The BRF is more popular in the UK than for a long time and the massive attention that H&M get by the continuing reporting on them (good and bad) ensures they get more money for their business ventures. If there is a big audience, you will likely get more viwers/listeners/readers. That's an easy calculation. Apart from the emotional strain and the broken relationships there is nothung going wrong. There will always be mean articles about both sides, I don't think paying attention to them will help with the hurtful moments at all (but that is my persüective and i have a hard time understanding theirs). In the end it doesn't matter. Some people think the whole BRF is a mob of racist and neglectful white suprematists, others think H&M are a pair of conning, desperate brats. But whatever the public thinks doesn't really touch them. H&M live a very privileged and good life, the BRF as well. The whole "woe is us" from both sides starts to really grate on my nerves when the world is still fighting so many existencial problems, leaving so many people in despair and trauma.
      I really think I need a break from the whole royal circus (including H&M, as long as they carry those titles and use their official royal monogram they are very much a part of it) because I really cannot deal with the whole lot anymore.

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    3. @ anon 12:18 I had to stop reading all royal stories for about 4 months. It was ugly and depressing. I didn’t care about what charities, what outfits, who, what, where, when, how anymore. I didn’t even watch the coverage of Prince Philip’s funeral. It was everywhere anyway and I needed a break.

      I discovered this type of fomented click bait digital news and social media warfare is everywhere nowadays, whether it’s about politics, voting, pandemic and educational issues, taxes, right to assemble law here in the U.K., pay parity, labor laws, banking reform, or environmental issues. I watched long time colleagues deal with governmental bureaucracy in order to continue to fulfill all the requirements to live and work here. The stress on their families. Ironically, one of the places a royal member visited was where they worked and it was to praise a program they developed. People were all smiles, but behind the scene, there was much turmoil about funding and keeping staff on.

      There are so much misinformation and so much emotional rhetoric by design that it’s very hard to escape. It’s certainly a lot more work to stay inform and its very easy to get swept up in the latest outrage.

      I think this is the new reality. People can’t be passive news feeders. They have to use their critical thinking skills and verify, verify, verify.

      Delete
  36. Had to add that Omid Scobie shows press from 2013 when Sophie visited Oprah at her girls school. Pictures of them together, etc. And regarding the continual attempt to show H&M disrespected in some way, it's like dealing with any dysfunctional relative -- H&M's press person will have to just keep repeating the truth -- Yes, the Queen approved of the name.

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  37. Just thinking of the shocking viciousness I've seen on the part of people who write for the British tabloids. The savagery brings to mind the lions in the Roman colosiums.

    It seems that British people, and especially the British Royal family consider themselves to be the epitome of civilization. And yet, they not only tolerate this savagery toward some of their own family members, but they rely on and partner with it for their own place in the British psyche.

    It remains a conundrom to me.

    R

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  38. If Harry and the Queen were not royalty, naming your grandchild after your grandmother would be so sweet. And if Harry says he asked permission from his Grandmother, and she gave it to him, why are people so hung up about it? It's not as if the Queen has a monopoly on the name Lilibet.

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  39. This makes me think of Harry's parents naming him Henry, and calling him Harry. I think that Harry and Meghan's much longed-for daughter Lili has a name that is endearing, charming, and elegant. To my mind, Harry has named his daughter to honour his grandmother, not the Queen, hence Lilibet rather than Elizabeth. I don't think Lilibet is unique to the Queen as a name, because it has been used by other people, and apparently has appeared on other birth certificates unrelated to the British royal family. It appears that Lilibet is widely used among close family members and friends: apparently, the Queen signs letters with Lilibet to family and friends, and recently I saw a condolence letter from the king of Spain beginning Dear Aunt Lilibet. I can't believe the royal gossips, otherwise known as the royal rota and royal experts, feel entitled to speak for the Queen and to make such a nasty fuss over the naming of a baby who is far removed from the throne. I believe Harry said in the Oprah interview, that he would never blind-side his grandmother; he respected her too much. So as an observor of the Harry and Meghan story, I can't imagine Harry would name is daughter Lilibet without asking his grandmother, and making sure that he had her approval. It's interesting that Archie has a name all his own, not named after any male members of the family or even Diana's family. Lili, on the other hand, is bearing the name of two women in the family who have had a great influence on her father. Archie will one day inherit Harry's titles whether he chooses to use them or not. Lili's names is a permanant reminder of her heritage. Harry promised to raise his children with the notion to make a contribution to the world as well as knowledge of his family heritage. As for Doria not being included, well she is the only grandparent who will be physically present to watch these children grow, and their mother is her daughter. How very sad, though, that at the moment, both Harry and Meghan seem to have fathers that would not win any father of the year awards. I have a great belief that most people can become better people and redeem themselves, however. I hope someday, some gesture of love will come out of those two men.

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  40. Sorry to say that - but I still can’t believe we didn’t see any photo yet… :(

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    1. It’s ok. I can’t blame them given the nut jobs, on line harassment and real threats out there, I rather leave it up to the parents to decide when’s the best time. If they decide to keep their children under wraps until adulthood, I’m cool with that. It’s the same with parents who wish to keep their newborn out of social media until the child is much older. That was our choice with our children until they became older teenagers and decided for themselves to use social media.

      My sister does risk management for an airline and the incidences of violence and people behaving badly have increased dramatically since society began opening up again. The flight attendants and gate agents face the brunt of what appears to be normal, well dressed people behaving so badly that airport security are called regularly and on flight incidences resulting in plane diversions. Often time, it’s over minor issues too. The pandemic has affected people in so many different ways.

      Keep well and stay safe out there.

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Welcome to Mad About Meghan! We do so look forward to reading your thoughts. Constructive, fair debate is always encouraged. Hateful, derogatory terms and insults are not welcome here. This space focuses on Harry and Meghan, not any other member of the Royal family. It's not the place to discuss politics either. Thank you for reading, we look forward to your comments :)