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Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Lilibet - what is in a name!

 

Time Magazine May 29, 1929.   "Princess Lilybet"


There is so much nonsense out there about the name, Lilibet, which is the first name of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's daughter.  

Here are a few things that are not true.  No, Philip did not give her the nickname.  Nor was he the last person to use the name.   The nickname is used by the queen's family, her nieces, nephews (Aunt Lilibet) and their families,  her cousins on both sides of the family, close friends, and other royals, reigning and non-reigning.  King Felipe VI addressed the queen as "Aunt Lilibet", in his note of condolence following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh.

In 1992 at a Garden Party at the British Embassy in Washington, I was standing next to Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia when the Queen stopped to embrace her godson. They kissed each other on the cheek, and Alexander called the queen Lilibet.

Nor did Marion Crawford reveal the nickname to the world in her book The Little Princesses.  The world already knew.    When did they know?  Certainly by 1929, thanks to the Time magazine cover story.


Western Daily Press  12/13/1929

11/7, 1935  The Times, coverage of the wedding of HRH Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester and Lady Alice Montagu-Douglas-Scott


And my favorite citation:


Dundee Courier July 16, 1931


No one whined when King George V named a horse after his granddaughter.  So why the fuss about Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.  New parents do not need the Queen's permisson to use a name.   The Queen is not her grandfather who vetoed Ann Margaret, the name selected by the Duke and Duchess of York for their second child.  Ann was dropped, and the duke and duchess named their daughter, Margaret Rose.  

Family members perhaps discuss names with the Queen, as a matter of courtesy, but she is unlikely to say no can do!

It the name was good enough for a filly, it is surely good enough for the Queen's 11th great-grandchild.

If you liked this bit of research, perhaps you can buy me a cup of coffee


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2 comments:

  1. BlueSaphire70June 14, 2021 at 1:41 PM

    I don't think the name is the main issue. I think the kerfuffle has to do with US newspapers stating that Harry and Meghan had "asked the Queen's permission" to name their daughter Lilibet, something which the BBC denied had happened. The BBC stated that Harry and Meghan had "informed the Queen" which is different from "asking permission". Apparently Harry got so upset by that statement that he threatened to sue or has already sued the BBC. The palace has not only remained silent about the BBC story, but apparently the Queen herself has instructed the palace to correct any statements about her or the royal family that are not true. Since the Queen herself has not made any statement, I am assuming that she speaks through the palace spokespersons. If they have stood firm by what they stated, that the Queen was only informed of the name and was not asked for permission, I'm inclined to think they're telling the truth. The whole drama could have been avoided if Harry had simply said "I'm sorry, we misspoke. We didn't ask permission, but we did tell her the good news as soon as our baby was born." And I think that would have been it.

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  2. UnknownJune 18, 2021 at 7:38 AM

    I totally agree with BlueSaphire70.

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