The late Queen Elizabeth II reportedly expressed bemusement after meeting Princess Lilibet for the first time in June 2022, according to Prince Harry's memoir Spare. The meeting took place during the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, just three months before the monarch's death.
Harry wrote that his grandmother described Archie and Lilibet as the 'sweetest children', but seemed surprised they were not 'more American' or 'rambunctious'. He recalled: 'Archie making deep, chivalrous bows, his baby sister Lilibet cuddling the monarch's shins.'
However, the naming of Lilibet after the Queen's childhood nickname reportedly caused tension. Author Robert Hardman claimed a staff member said the Queen was 'as angry as I'd ever seen her' after the Sussexes publicly stated she had given her blessing. The couple insisted they had her support, but the Palace reportedly rebuffed attempts to corroborate their version of events.
A spokesperson for Harry and Meghan previously stated: 'The Duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement – in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called. Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.'
