Prince Harry ‘wary’ to name baby daughter after his late mother for this heartbreaking reason

Prince Harry’s daughter Lilibet Diana was born on June 4

 Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex leaves after officially open The Silverstone Experience at Silverstone on March 06, 2020 in Northampton, England
(Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have welcomed their second child, Lilibet Diana, but he was reportedly “wary” of naming a future daughter after his late mother for a very heartbreaking reason. 


Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex have recently announced the birth of their daughter, much to the delight of the Royal Family and fans alike. There has been speculation in recent months regarding their possible name choices, with some believing they were set to name their baby girl after Prince Philip in a special tribute. Whilst others were convinced that Prince Harry and Meghan would opt for his late mother's name, with 'Diana' in the top spot according to odds earlier this year. 

However, instead of ‘Philippa’ or 'Diana' for her first name, the Sussexes instead settled on the Lilibet ‘Lili’, with 'Diana' as her middle name. Though Prince Harry and Meghan's decision to name their new baby ‘Lilibet’ might have come as a surprise to some, it’s a lovely way to honor two important royal relatives. The official birth announcement revealed that she was named after her great-grandmother the Queen and late grandmother, Princess Diana.

And while ‘Diana’ wasn’t chosen as her first name outright, it’s now been suggested that Prince Harry and Meghan could have chosen this name order for a poignant reason. 

According to The Mirror, a royal source has stated that Prince Harry had once considered calling a future daughter ‘Diana’, but wasn't convinced it was the right choice given the "attention" it might attract. 

“He had toyed with the idea of giving a future daughter his mother’s name, but was wary of the attention it would no doubt bring to the little girl”, the source claimed.

Last month, Prince Harry spoke out in his new Apple TV+ docuseries, The Me You Can’t See, about the pain he felt after losing his mother when he was just 12 years old. During this deeply personal appearance, the Duke of Sussex also shared the harrowing memory that comes to mind whenever he thinks of Princess Diana and discussed the intense scrutiny she was under throughout her life. 

The idea that Prince Harry could have been “wary” of the attention his beloved mother’s name might potentially bring upon his future daughter is certainly heartbreaking.

Princess Diana with Prince Harry wearing the uniform of the Parachute Regiment of the British Army in the garden of Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, 18th July 1986

(Image credit: Photo by Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

However, it seems Prince Harry had always intended to celebrate his mother in some way if he had a little girl, with the source claiming to The Mirror that, “Harry has never made a secret of his wish to have a family of his own, often talking about how it would be great to have a boy and a girl, that he could name after the two most important women in his life, the Queen and his mother.”

Ultimately, though, he and Meghan paid tribute to the Queen with their daughter’s first name, choosing ‘Diana’ as a beautiful middle name instead and ensuring both royal women were celebrated. 

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Queen Elizabeth II at the Queen's Young Leaders Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace on June 26, 2018 in London, England

(Image credit: Photo by John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

“In the end, he mentioned Lilibet to Meghan, when discussing potential names for their children and she loved the idea”, the source stated. “It’s a fitting tribute to the Queen and something many people will hope brings the family closer together.”

Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor is the youngest of the Queen’s eleven great-grandchildren and Her Majesty will no doubt be very touched that Prince Harry and Meghan honored her in such a wonderful way with her name.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!