Meghan Markle's Ex-Friend Is Accusing Her Of Stealing The Name "Lilibet" From Her

by Stephanie Maida · June 15, 2021

    As I'm sure we all know by now, Meghan and Harry welcomed their second child, a daughter, on June 4th. While Lilibet Mountbatten-Windsor, like her brother Archie, won't have a title, there is a royal connection built right into her name. So the stories go, she is named after her great-grandmother, the queen herself. "Lilibet" was Queen Elizabeth's childhood nickname.

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    Seeing as the royal family have had a contentious relationship with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex following their move to the United States and that Oprah interview heard 'round the world, those in the anti-Meghan Markle camp have criticized the use of the queen's name, considering it to be "disrespectful." A media push, however, publicized claims that Meghan and Harry consulted the queen beforehand and got her permission to use the name.

    Cue the endless back and forth in the headlines.

    Now, in the midst of the royal baby name battle, a surprising new contender has entered the ring. 

    One Lizzie Cundy, a U.K. television personality and former friend of the duchess, thinks she was the inspiration behind the unique moniker.

    "I was called Lilibet. It’s short for Elizabeth. It was my nickname at school," Cundy said in an interview with OK! magazine. Cundy says she and the former Suits star became friends after they attended a London event together in 2013. Once Markle started dating Prince Harry, Cundy alleges, she cut all ties. 

    "Thank you Meghan. You ghosted me—and now you’re calling your child after me."

    Surely that's a huge stretch, but Cundy doubled down in the interview, adding "I was quite shocked by it because it’s an unusual name. Maybe that’s her way of reaching out. But I wish them well and I think it’s wonderful."

    At least there's less bad blood here than there is with the queen?

    [Photo via Disney+, @lizziecundy]