Expert Reveals Why Meghan Markle and Harry Don’t Call Their Daughter by Her Actual Name: “There's A…”

Commenting on the Sussexes, royal expert Christine Ross revealed the heartwarming reason why the couple today choose not to use their daughter’s full name.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had son Archie on May 6, 2019, a year after their royal wedding. After a tragic miscarriage, the couple also welcomed daughter Lilibet, on June 4, 2021. Commenting on the Sussexes, royal expert, Christine Ross, revealed the heartwarming reason why the couple today chooses not to use their daughter’s full name. She revealed that they call her ‘Lili’ instead of ‘Lilibet’ to ensure she gets a normal childhood.

The Princess is officially named Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Speaking to the Daily Express, Ross said, “There is certainly a trend in baby names of giving family names, but shortening the name to give the new baby their own identity. Lili is a much more common name than Lilibet, and lends to Meghan and Harry’s desire for their children to have as normal a childhood as possible.” The couple has also shared that they would use both her short and original name for official purposes.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Princess Lilibet of Sussex (@lilibet.mountbattenwindsor)

‘Lili’ was used both in the statement by their press secretary and in a message issued by the pair themselves. Just days after her birth in June 2021, their statement read, “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 have felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family.” In his memoir, Spare, Harry also recalled an intimate moment during the birth of his daughter. Minutes before she entered the world, he decided to deliver her himself. He shared, “When the doctor said it was a matter of minutes, I told [Markle] that I wanted mine to be the first face our little girl saw.”

BREAKING: Prince Harry and Meghan announce the birth of their daughter Lilibet “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, born on Friday June 4. She is named after the Queen and Princess Diana. Full announcement below #babysussex pic.twitter.com/XrPtTUpFu2

— Victoria Murphy (@byQueenVic) June 6, 2021

As per Irish Star, they named their daughter in honor of her great-grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II. The late Queen was lovingly called ‘Lilibet’ as a child and after her marriage, by her husband Prince Philip. The nickname carries on her legacy. According to CNN, Lili’s second name, ‘Diana’, was meanwhile selected to honor her Harry's later mother.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (@meghan)

Fast forward to 2025, Lili made headlines when Markle shared a post on Instagram. On International Women’s Day, Markle shared a sweet photo of Lili sitting on her father’s lap in a boat. Netizens, however, were furious and took to social media to slam the couple for endangering Lili by not putting her in a life vest. Markle also came under fire for using both Lili and Archie to promote her lifestyle brand, As Ever, when on other occasions she strictly keeps them away from the spotlight.