Queen Elizabeth II and senior royal family members have confirmed they have been informed about the birth of Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, the second child of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
A statement issued on Monday by Buckingham Palace revealed that the Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla Parker-Bowles, Prince William, and Kate Middleton had been told about the baby news and delighted to have a new member of the family.
The short statement said that the family was “delighted” to hear about the “birth of a daughter for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”
The latest addition to the royal family — born last Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. — has been given a name that pays tribute to both Prince Harry‘s grandmother and his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
Lilibet is the nickname given to Queen Elizabeth II — a short form of her name Elizabeth — while the name Diana was “chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother,” the Princess of Wales. The latter would have marked her 60th birthday next month.
In a statement posted to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s website on Sunday, a spokesperson said Prince Harry and Meghan Markle welcomed their daughter to the world “with great joy,” and mother and baby were “healthy and well.”
Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California, in the “trusted care of doctors and staff,” according to the statement posted over the weekend.
They thanked their fans for the “prayers and support” and said they were “enjoy[ing] this special time as a family” back at home in Montecito.
Congratulations have also flooded in from politicians and high-profile celebrities, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Star Trek actor William Shatner.
Tessy Ojo, CEO of the Diana Award non-profit organization, said that “everyone in the charity is delighted” by the news of “another grandchild” of the late Princess Diana.
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry spoke before the birth of royal baby Lili Diana where she was informed that her name was being considered.
However, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle failed to ask Elizabeth II her permission to use the private name. During the conversation, Queen Elizabeth took it upon herself to convince Prince Harry to fly to London next month for the unveiling of Princess Diana’s statue alongside Prince William.
It has been confirmed by royal insiders that Queen Elizabeth has invited Prince Harry to lunch next month.
The Queen promised her troubled grandson a tête-à-tête where they can finally have a private conversation about the last complicated few months.
A courtier told the Daily Mail: “It’s a typically magnanimous gesture by Her Majesty. The lunch will be a chance for them to talk things through.”
Prince Harry’s trip to London will be a solo one because Meghan Markle will stay in California with baby Lili Diana and Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor.
