Meghan Markle & Prince Harry’s decision to name daughter Lilibet is proof they’re ‘close to queen’, says pal Omid Scobie

PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to name their child Lilibet shows how “close” they are to the Queen, their pal Omid Scobie believes.

The Finding Freedom biographer insists the couple’s use of Her Majesty’s childhood nickname gives an “insight” into their relationship with the monarch.

It comes after a row erupted over the use of Lilibet’s name, with Harry, 36, insisting he spoke to the Queen about using it beforehand.

But a palace source told the BBC the Queen was “never asked” about its use.

And an insider told the Mail on Sunday the conversation between Harry and the Queen was “a telling, not an asking”.

Scobie told Good Morning America: “When it comes to that relationship with the Queen, it is as strong as ever. 

‘CLOSE RELATIONSHIP’

“They have nothing but love for her. Of course, we saw them name their daughter after the Queen’s very nickname.

“So that really gives us an insight into that close relationship.”

It comes as the Queen ordered senior Palace aides to plan a legal fightback amid ­hurtful attacks by Harry and Meghan — declaring: “Enough is enough.”

The monarchy’s legal team is consulting libel experts after a barrage of criticism from the US-based couple.

Last week, a new chapter of Finding Freesom suggested Harry and Meghan, 40, weren’t impressed with how the palace dealt with allegations made during their explosive Oprah interview.

The Sussexes had claimed there were conversations with Harry and a “family” member about what colour baby Archie’s skin would be – and “what that would mean or look like”.

Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest updates

Meghan also alleged Archie wasn’t made a prince after “concerns and conversations” about “how dark” his skin would be when he was born.

And she revealed she was left feeling suicidal after joining the Royal Family.

The Queen responded with a statement 36 hours after the chat, saying she was “saddened by the claims” but that “some recollections may vary”.

In an updated version of Finding Freedom, Scobie and co-author Carolyn Durand say the comment “did not go unnoticed”.

The book said Her Majesty did not take “full ownership” of the issues raised and “little” has been done since.

Scobie insisted the “institution” of the Monarchy, rather than the Queen personally who the Sussexes were displeased with.

But the statement at the time was issued on behalf of Her Majesty.

The Sussexes’ biography co-writer was asked: “What’s the latest on that relationship with the Queen?”

‘FULL OWNERSHIP’

Scobie replied from London: “I spoke to sources close to the couple, who spoke about their disappointment in the institution of the monarchy, and the sort of lack of accountability taken after some of the revelations that they made in the Oprah Winfrey interview.

“Particularly when they came to the racism claims.

“But when it comes to that relationship with the Queen, it is as strong as ever – they have nothing but love for her.”

Scobie and Durand have updated their book with the new chapter, promising a host of revelations since it was first published last summer.

As well as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s reaction to Prince Philip’s death, publisher HarperCollins said the latest edition will share “behind the scenes” details of Harry and Meg’s bombshell Oprah interview as well as their move to California.

The Finding Freedom update is said to have been written with the participation of people closes to the Sussexes.

Scobie, a journalist favoured by the Sussexes, said of the first edition that the couple “did not authorise the book and have never been interviewed for it”.