How to pronounce Lilibet correctly—plus the significance behind the name

It's official—Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have welcomed their second child, a baby girl named Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. Here's everything you need to know about the sweet name—including its pronunciation and meaning. 

• Meghan Markle and Prince Harry welcomed their second child into the world on Friday, June 4, in a Santa Barbara hospital. 
• The couple called their first daughter, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, as a tribute to the Queen and the late Princess Diana. 
• In other royal news, this is the reason that Kate Middleton and Prince William could be spending more time in Scotland.
  

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced the birth of their first daughter, confirming the news on their Archewell website on Sunday. 

Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor was born to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital on Friday at 11.40 am, weighing a healthy 7lbs 11oz. The exciting news has been met by an outpouring of congratulations from members of the Royal Family as well as the public, with many people touched by the couple's chosen name for Archie's little sister. 

Lilibet 'Lili' Diana's arrival finally brings an end to months of speculation about what Meghan and Harry would call their daughter, but we still have a few questions about this unique name. 

How to pronounce Lilibet correctly 

We doubt 'Diana' will cause any tongue twisters, but 'Lilibet' might pose a few problems for some folks. While commonly known inside the Royal Family, the unusual name is likely to stump the majority of the public. Don't worry though, it's not as difficult to say aloud as it looks on paper. 

'Lilibet' is pronounced 'Lily-bet', with a notable emphasis on its two syllables. Rather than rolling it off your tongue in one sound, it's best to treat it like a double-barrel name. 

What is the meaning behind Lilibet-Diana? 

It doesn't take a royal expert to pick up on the meaning behind Lilibet-Diana (or at least, it shouldn't!) 

The sweet double-barrel name is a tribute to two very important people in Prince Harry's life, the Queen and his late mother. While the homage to Princess Diana is easy to spot, some people may be a little confused by the connection between Lilibet and Her Majesty. 

It's a well-known fact amongst royal fans that the Queen's real name, Elizabeth, was shortened to 'Lilibet' as a child. The moniker stuck after the young princess struggled to pronounce her official name and decided it was easier to shave off a couple of syllables instead. While the adorable nickname is no longer used to refer to the Queen, its significance will live on through the birth of her 11th great-grandchild.  

How Lilibet Diana’s name gives more of a nod to her relation to Princess Diana than it first seems 

'Lilibet Diana' may place the Queen's childhood name at the forefront, but that doesn't make Diana's mention any less significant. In fact, some eagle-eyed fans have suggested that the name may favor the beloved Princess of Wales over Her Majesty. When shortened, it's 'Lil Diana'—a touching tribute to the legacy of Harry's mother.