Meghan & Harry Used the Name Lilibet for Their Baby 'to Secure the Sussex Brand,' Expert Claims

Royal expert Angela Mollard shared her opinion about why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle chose the Queen's nickname for their newborn daughter. Read on to see what she has to say.

Australian royal expert Angela Mollard spoke to "The Morning Show" about the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's choice of name for their second child.

Mollard shared that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's primary goal with naming their daughter Lilibet wasn't to honor Queen Elizabeth because they actually wanted to maintain their connection to Buckingham Palace regardless of their status.

BRAND STRATEGY

Mollard suggested that the royal couple were thinking beyond their daughter's name and family traditions when they picked out Lilibet. The royal expert said:

"I imagine they used the name Lilibet to secure the brand, the Sussex brand, to make that connection to the palace."

During her conversation with hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur, Mollard also said that she didn't believe that the Queen had a choice in the matter because of the fear that if she said no to the suggestion, Prince Harry would run to the press.

LOSING THE RIGHT

According to the royal expert, the Duke of Sussex liked the name Lili for several years preceding the arrival of his daughter, but his outspoken and public critique of the royal family resulted in the loss of his right to use the special name.

Lilibet is Queen Elizabeth's nickname, given to her by her father as a child. The pet name is only used by those closest to her; hence, there is a sense of intimacy and privacy related to it.

VERY UNHAPPY

Another royal expert, Angela Levin, seems to agree with her Australian counterpart as she told "Good Morning Britain" that she thought the reigning royal was very upset by using her nickname for Prince Harry's daughter.

Levin agreed with Mollard that naming their newborn Lilibet was very inappropriate after the Sussexes voiced their unhappiness with the royal family. Levin shared:

"I think she’s desperately unhappy because they were desperately rude about her. I don't think it's a good idea. I think it's quite rude to her Majesty the Queen."

ESTRANGED GRANDFATHERS

While the debate and speculations about the baby's name continue, others are concerned with Lilibet not seeing either of her grandfathers in the foreseeable future.

Meghan hasn't had any contact with her father, Thomas Markle, since before her wedding, which places him very low on the list of people that Lilibet will meet in her first few months.

Prince Charles and Prince Harry's relationship has also hit a hard patch since the couple's public exit out of the Windsor family and Prince Harry's critique of his dad's parenting style.

Regardless of the existing conflict between the father and son, the introduction between Prince Charles and Lilibet is difficult because an ocean separates them.