Sussexes blasted for 'hypocritical and tacky' baby announcement

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle surprised the world by announcing they had welcomed a baby girl into the world on Friday June 4.

What was perhaps most surprising was her name: Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, with many shocked to see the pair paying tribute to not only Harry's mother Princess Diana, but also the Queen by using her childhood nickname.

And some are not very impressed by the move, considering the couple has been very vocal about their time in the royal family in a number of recent bombshell interviews.

The royal commentary blog and Instagram account From Berkshire to Buckingham, has slammed the couple for doing just this.

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"Obviously a lot of us find Harry and Meghan’s choice of name odd," The account wrote. "People can name their children what they want and often do (e.g., Apple, North, and the like), but this decision is particularly jarring. I think we all knew Diana would be incorporated, which is fine.

"For a first name, though, my money was on Philippa (the feminine form of Philip, which can then be shortened to Pippa). They went even farther, though, by giving the Queen’s family nickname—Lilibet—to their daughter as a first name."

Jane continued, saying: "A nickname is intimate and it is personal. It feels strange to watch Harry and Meghan viciously attack both the monarchy as an institution—an institution Elizabeth has dedicated her life to defending—and the family itself, and then to turn around and take the very unique pet name the Queen has had from childhood and give it to their daughter.

"We all know Lilibet is or has been the family’s nickname for the Queen, but no one calls her that, because we are not her family. So it’s a very personal thing that, in some sense, belongs to her. Because the name is such a familiar and intimate one, by using it, it feels like Harry and Meghan are trying to signal to the world they are still on intimate terms with the Queen and therefore with the fount of royalty. They are using this opportunity to very publicly remind and reclaim their royal status."

She added: "Now, the Queen IS their family. Had they chosen this name for their first child before they left the Firm and tried to blow it all up on their way out (metaphorically speaking)—this would be too on the nose, but not offensive. But given everything that has happened, it is bizarre.

"In short, rather than a sweet tribute to the Queen, it feels like a cheap attempt to further borrow and trade on the star power and prestige of the monarchy. Given their behavior in the last four months (they seem intent on destroying the institution of the monarchy), it feels hypocritical and tacky."

One follower wrote: "I think we were all basically waiting for you to sum up why this felt a bit off... well done!"

"I can’t imagine being the courtier who had to tell The Queen the name," another wrote. "To even *say* the word 'Lilibet' in earshot of Her Majesty feels... way too familiar."

"I didn’t think Philippa because it’s too close to Kates sister," someone else added. "But I couldn’t agree more about the name. Feels like another slap in their face while trying to pretend they care."

However, many others defended the couple, with one user writing: "They didn’t attack the monarchy as you all claim they did... Harry repeatedly said he respects his grandmother and his grandfather, even Meghan said that she loves the Queen, please stop, they can name their children anything they want y’all always want to look at something negative."

"Let's face it, this couple can't do anything right can they... you should all be ashamed, you bunch of bullies," another wrote.

"I named my daughter with my grandmother's nickname. She wasn’t the queen but it didn’t feel like an invasion of her privacy to do so," someone else said.

During an interview with Today, Piers Morgan also blasted the couple for their name choice after spending the last few weeks "trashing the royal family and monarchy".

"I think it's quite ironic, isn't it?" he said. "You have this couple who have been trashing the royal family and the monarchy for the last few weeks and they have named the baby after the Queen."

It's believed this tribute to the Queen by the Sussexes will be seen as an olive branch.

"Maybe it's their way of reaching out, as the Americans say, to the royals and wanting some kind of end to this on-running feud," Piers added.

"I always think when a new baby is born, I've had four myself it's churlish to put any negative slant," he said. "At such a moment. I wish them all the very best. There is four in the family now. I wish them every success and a long and happy life."

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