Prince Charles is one of the latest members of the Royal family to publically welcome his son Harry and daughter-in-law Meghan’s baby girl, Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
Fans have already heard messages of congratulations from several members of the Royal family including Prince William and Kate Middleton and the Queen, as well as several of the pair’s close friends and extended family members.
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As you’ve most certainly heard by now, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle recently welcomed a daughter.
“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,” read a statement from the couple, published Sunday.
“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,” the statement continued.
“Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet,” the statement continued.
“Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales.”
The statement concluded: “The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family.”
However, in typical U.K. tabloid fashion, the press started spreading rumours that Meghan and Harry did not consult with Her Majesty about using her intimate nickname.
As fans of the royals may know, Princess Elizabeth referred to herself as a Lilibet when she was too young to properly pronounce her own name.
According to Vanity Fair her father, then the Duke of York, affectionately referred to his eldest daughter as Lilibet and continued to call her by the name when he became King.
The late Prince Philip also used to call his wife Lilibet.
Just hours after news broke of Lilibet’s birth, the press began to speculate that the name was an insult to the Queen, or even worse, that the pair didn’t even ask to use her intimate nickname.
In an article that has since been amended by the BBC, the publication claimed to have information from Palace sources.
BBC reporter Jonny Dymond still has his initial tweet published that reads: “BREAKING Palace source tells BBC that the Queen was not asked by Meghan and Harry over the use of her childhood nickname; reports suggested Harry had sought permission from Queen to call newborn ‘Lilibet’; but Palace source says the Queen was ‘never asked’.”
Now, the pair have released a statement insisting that the Queen approved of the name.
“The Duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement. In fact, his grandmother was the first family member he called,” the spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess told CNN . “During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honor. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the names.”
As fans eagerly await the first look at baby Lili Diana, Prince Charles is giving his public message of congratulations to his son and daughter-in-law.
Charles commented on the arrival of his latest grandchild on Tuesday while visiting a BMW Mini car factory in Oxford, U.K.
The Prince tied being a grandfather into his speech about innovation and sustainability as he continues to advocate for the environment.
“The development of technology like electric vehicles or green hydrogen for that matter for heavy transport is vital for maintaining the health of our world for future generations…”
“Something I’m only too aware of today having recently becoming a grandfather for the fifth time.”
He concluded:
“Such happy news really does remind of the necessity of continued innovation in this area, especially around sustainable battery technology in view of the legacy we bequeath to our grandchildren.”
It is happy news, indeed!
