MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have welcomed their first daughter into the world – Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
However, the adorable name may not come as much of a surprise to numerous royal fans who predicted the sweet moniker back in APRIL.
Read our Royal Family live blog for the latest updates
Following the loss of her husband of 73 years, royal fans were convinced that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex were going to pay tribute to The Queen with their baby daughter’s name.
And now we know they were correct.
Although we all know her as Queen Elizabeth, Her Majesty’s parents and late husband lovingly referred to her as “Lilibet”.
People took to Twitter and Reddit months before the baby arrived on June 4, to predict that Harry and Meghan will give a nod to Her Majesty’s nickname by calling their baby girl Lily or Lili.
One wrote: “I’m not sure how relationships are between the family, but Lily would be a cute way to honour the Queen (Lilibet).”
Another added: “I read a prediction somewhere that they could use Lily for the Queen because of her childhood nickname Lilibet.
“And because of Meghan’s wedding bouquet being Lily of the valley. I think that’s really sweet.”
At the time there were 16-1 odds that Harry and Meghan would call their daughter Elizabeth after her great-great-grandmother.
Diana was actually the firm favourite with bookmaker Coral, with betting at 5-1, while Alexandria was in second place at 8-1.
We now know that Diana was also spot on for royal watchers, as it is Lilibet’s middle name, in tribute to Harry’s late mother, who died in 1997 when Harry was 12 years old.
Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor arrived at 11.40am on Friday in California.
Meghan and Harry said in a statement: “She is more than we could have ever imagined.”
Royal experts said the choice of Lilibet may be an olive branch to the Royal Family after recent controversies.
What we know so far:
- Meghan and Harry have given birth to a baby girl called Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor in a touching nod to the Queen
- She was born at hospital in Santa Barbara on Friday morning weighing 7lbs 11oz
- Lili and Meghan are “healthy and well” and “settling in at home”
- Meghan and Harry have asked people to support organisations working for women and girls instead of giving a present
- Lili is now eighth in line to the throne, behind her older brother Archie
- Meghan and Harry kept birth a secret for two DAYS before announcing baby joy to the world
- Queen, William and Kate Middleton say they are ‘delighted’ after Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcome baby Lilibet
- The clues Meghan Markle and Prince Harry chose their baby girl’s name Lili years earlier
A statement published on their Archewell website said: “On June 4, 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.”
And the Queen, Prince William, and Kate Middleton have congratulated Meghan and Harry on the birth of their daughter.
Her Majesty and the royals said they were “delighted” at the news and made a touching tribute to the couple and their baby girl.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “The Queen, The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, and The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been informed and are delighted with the news of the birth of a daughter for The Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tweeted: “We are all delighted by the happy news of the arrival of baby Lili.
“Congratulations to Harry, Meghan and Archie.”
In more Royal Family news, this is the adorable nickname Prince Philip’s mum used in loving letters to the Duke revealed – and it will melt your heart.
Here is how Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor will grow up with Orlando Bloom & Serena Williams’ kids – instead of UK cousins.
