Prince Harry Hinted His Interest In The Name 'Lili' Two Years Ago

Jun 07, 2021

Meghan Markle has given birth to her second child, a girl, with Prince Harry on June 4, 2021, at 11:40 a.m., according to an official statement from the couple. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex first announced that they were expecting their second child on Valentine's Day in 2021, only to reveal the baby's sex during the March 7 interview special "Oprah with Meghan and Harry."

While the royal family is unlikely to immediately assign the newborn a title, Meghan and Harry's daughter will become a princess if Prince Charles becomes king, as grandchildren of the king are automatically granted prince and princess status, according to Elle. In this case, Meghan and Harry's first-born child, 2-year-old Archie Mountbatten-Windsor, would also become a prince. With Queen Elizabeth II still at the helm, Archie remains seventh in line to the throne while Harry and Meghan's baby girl is just behind her big brother. 

However, all of this remains up in the air since both Meghan and Harry have distanced themselves from the royal family, stepping back from their roles as working royals in January 2020 and moving to Southern California shortly thereafter.

The couple's big announcement on Sunday, June 6, 2021, is the first bit of good news the royal family has had in a while, given the saddening events of the past few years, which have been filled with strife and mourning. Prince Philip, who would have been the child's great grandfather, passed away on April 9 at 99 years old. At the time, Meghan could not make it to Philip's April 17 funeral because doctors advised against traveling to the UK while pregnant.

Read on to learn more about the history behind the name choice and how Prince Harry was actually interested in the name years before the newborn girl's birth. 

PEOPLE reported that the statement from the couple released on Sunday read, "It is with great joy that Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, welcome their daughter, Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, to the world." 

The statement continued, "Lili was born on Friday, June 4 at 11:40 a.m. in the trusted care of the doctors and staff at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, CA. She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home."

Harry and Meghan's spokesperson concluded their statement, "This is the second child for the couple, who also have a two-year-old son named Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The Duke and Duchess thank you for your warm wishes and prayers as they enjoy this special time as a family."

The happy couple also posted a statement about their child on their website, Archewell, which read:

"On June 4, we were blessed with the arrival of our daughter, Lili. She is more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers we've felt from across the globe. Thank you for your continued kindness and support during this very special time for our family."

Leading up to their second child's birth, Meghan has been relatively private, staying out of the public eye and refusing to reveal her daughter's due date. The duchess also decided not to have a baby shower. According to US Weekly, Meghan didn't feel such a celebration would be appropriate amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Fans and experts who follow the Sussexes are undoubtedly thrilled by Sunday's announcement, as an addition to the royal family is quite a momentous occasion. What makes Sunday's announcement even more remarkable is that Meghan and Harry are unlikely to have another child based on what they've said in the past.

"To have any one or any two, but to have a boy and then a girl — what more could you ask for?" Harry told Oprah Winfrey in March. "But now we've got our family. We've got the four of us, we've got our two dogs. Done."

"Done — two is it?" Oprah asked.

"Two is it," Meghan confirmed. Congratulations are certainly for the ecstatic couple! 

According to US Weekly, Harry liked the name "Lily" two years before he and Meghan chose their new daughter's name. Back in 2019, while Meghan was pregnant with their now 2-year-old son Archie, the couple took a royal visit to Birkenhead and spoke with schoolchildren. At the time, Harry spoke with a mother and asked her how she spelled her daughter Lily's name. 

The extra special meaning behind the name was also addressed in the official statement from Meghan and Harry. It read:

 "Lili is named after her great-grandmother, Her Majesty The Queen, whose family nickname is Lilibet. Her middle name, Diana, was chosen to honor her beloved late grandmother, The Princess of Wales."

Not only does baby Lili carry the legacy of her great-grandmother, the queen, but also the legacy of her well-loved late grandmother, Princess Diana. With such a legacy, baby Lili is likely to lead an incredible life. 

Congratulations, Meghan and Harry! What do you think of the meaning behind the name choice? Let us know what you think — and be sure to pass this great news on to friends and family members.