The Queen was believed to have been particularly touched when Prince Harry and Meghan Markle named their second child, daughter Lilibet, after her family nickname
The late Queen Elizabeth II adored her 12 great-grandchildren but one particular gesture from Prince Harry and Meghan Markle is said to have touched her heart.
The couple’s decision to name their daughter after the Queen was seen as a poignant tribute. The youngest great-granddaughter Lilibet was given the Queen’s family nickname, which originated from her inability to pronounce Elizabeth as a toddler. The name stuck and Princess Lilibet also bears the middle name Diana, a heartfelt nod to Harry’s late mother.
According to Paul Burrell, the Queen’s former footman, the monarch was deeply saddened by the distance between her and Lilibet when Harry and Meghan relocated to the US. Despite her declining health, the Queen was determined to spend quality time with her mini namesake, as reported by the Mirror.
However, Burrell claimed that even on Lilibet’s first birthday, during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022, the Queen did not get to see her granddaughter. He revealed: “Even on Lilibet’s first birthday the Queen didn’t see her. She saw her the day before. But on her birthday, the Queen had a birthday cake made with one candle in it. And they never turned up. That candle was never lit.”
Prince Harry and Meghan marked Lilibet’s birthday with a backyard picnic at Frogmore Cottage, in Windsor, reports Birmingham Live. On the same day, the Queen was scheduled to attend the Epsom Derby, in Surrey, as part of the jubilee celebrations. However, due to her ongoing mobility issues, she had to cancel. Burrell revealed: “The next day she asked if maybe they’d like to come up for tea again and was told they’ve gone. What do you mean they’ve gone?,” she said. “They’ve gone back to America. Oh no, they never said goodbye.”
Burrell shared that the Queen was “confused” by Harry and Meghan’s swift departure. He questioned: “How could you offend our Queen? Well, I don’t understand anyone that could do that. Not her family, why would you want to? She was devoid of jealousy, anger, envy, all those traits that we associate with other people she didn’t have. She was just a very simple soul. I wish the world could have known her the way I knew her.”
The Royal Family recently commemorated the second anniversary of the Queen’s death. Burrell added: “All the family dearly loved our Queen, and they will all be remembering her in their own particular ways. She was a mother, a granny, a great granny to all of them. And they all miss her. Even Harry and Meghan, in Los Angeles will be thinking about the Queen on her anniversary because Harry was a particular favourite.” Burrell disclosed he always maintained a “communication” with the Queen until her final days.