Lilibet Diana, the story of a name that will never go unnoticed
The second daughter of Meghan and Harry comes into the world with a bulky luggage that is already making half the world talk. Because if there are so many Elizabeths in the family, no one had ever dared so much by choosing the affectionate nickname of her Majesty. Could it be an attempt at peace?
Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, second child and with a name that is cumbersome to say. The second daughter of Harry and Meghan Markle came into the world and with her everything that the Sussexes (deliberately or inevitably) carry with her. The name of Archie's little sister, in fact, is already making half the world talk. An attempt to rebuild relations with the royal family, and the queen in the first place? Another insult to the sovereign, "stealing" her nickname? Or just a way to continue to keep the attention high?
We will never know. When Harry and Meghan are involved it always happens like this: big controversy or emotional reactions. Passionate fans or bitter enemies. What is certain is that until now no member of the family had dared so much. In Elizabeth's family there are many: it is the middle name, just to name a few, of Zara Phillips, Louise Windsor, Beatrice of York, Lena Tindall, and even of Charlotte of Cambridge, daughter of Kate and William. But so far no one had wanted to use Lilibet, her Majesty's childish nickname, and moreover as her first name.
It was father George VI who affectionately called her that, when Elizabeth was not yet able to pronounce her name well. With the passing of time and the arrival of the crown, very few remained to call this Elizabeth II. Sister Margaret or the Queen Mother. The last to have had the privilege of addressing the queen with her favorite nickname was Prince Philip. So much so that the sovereign wanted to sign "Lilibet" and nothing else the note she posted on her coffin on the day of her last farewell.
And then there is Diana, also third name of Charlotte of Cambridge. The Sussexes chose him for her daughter on the eve of the 60th birthday of Harry and William's beloved mother, when the two brothers are expected to come face to face in London to inaugurate a statue dedicated to her. In short, a name that brings together the two most powerful and famous women of the last century of the British monarchy.
A name, therefore, too heavy and full of expectations? Who knows. "Lili", meanwhile, will grow up in California, thousands of miles from the places that shaped and made the other two women eternal. In Montecito it will not have royal cousins neighbors, but the best of Hollywood's youth: from the daughter of her friend Serena William, to that of Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry, neighbors.
Meanwhile, the Windsors say they are "very happy" for the arrival of the baby girl, born in Santa Barbara last Friday. With an official announcement made public only two days later, and no photos at the hospital exit. Even father Carlo sent an affectionate message online, trying to dismiss the latest statements of his son that hurt him "deeply". Only a few days ago, insiders had revealed the "sad and very impressed" mood of Prince Charles after Harry, in the course of the documentary Me You Can't See, aired on Apple TV, had insinuated that he and the queen had failed as parents. But today is another day, the new Lilibet has to be celebrated.
