As she gets older,Prince HarryandMeghan Markle’s daughter,Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, will surely take rides on her dad’s shoulders — but even now, thedays-old newbornhas a meaningful name that ensures she will stand on the shoulders of two of history’s most powerful and influential women.
Lilibet (pronounced “LIL-eh-bet”) is a name that “is given a name that carries this weight,” royal historian Robert Lacey tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.
“To be compared to theQueen, the most successful female monarch in British history, is a great weight,” says Lacey. “It will be one of the first things that will be explained to her when she’s old enough.”
During a conversation with the Queen, Harry “shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honor,” a spokesperson for the couple tells PEOPLE. “Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name.”
The Sussexes' friend Dean Stott tells PEOPLE, “Lili becomes the fourth generation of amazing, strong women in the family — behind Meghan, Diana and Her Majesty the Queen.”
At the same time, sinceexiting their roles as working royalsin 2020, Harry, 36, and Meghan, 39, have endeavored to give both their children space to blaze their own trails as they continue to deepen theirown family roots in Americaand make a home in Meghan’s native California.
“It is intriguing that this little American girl is being brought up free of old-fashioned tradition,” notes Lacey.
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Princess Diana and Prince Harry.Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty
As for Diana, both Harry and his brotherWilliamhave made sure their children know about their mother’s legacy — which Harry will pay tribute to with a solo trip to London for the July 1unveiling of the Kensington Palace statue honoring Diana.
Listen below toour daily podcast PEOPLE Every Dayfor more onPrince HarryandMeghan Markle’s daughter, Lilibet Diana.
“Harry and Meghan now have their complete family,” says Stott. “It’s their time to be in the moment.
source: people.com
