Prince Harry and Meghan Markle "Blindsided" the Royal Family With Lilibet's New Princess Title, Source Says
Oh, no.
![Prince Harry and Meghan Markle](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/47NfSZPBtDQS7kcuKSUh28-415-80.jpg)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle unexpectedly called their daughter Lilibet "princess" in a statement confirming the little girl had been christened last week.
But while a rep for the Sussexes claimed this was based on an agreement with King Charles that their children should be known as Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, one source now says that the Royal Family felt "blindsided" by the move.
The insider told OK! that Harry had a "casual conversation" with his father the King after the Queen passed, but that they hadn't reached the kind of agreement the Sussexes claimed they had.
In a statement, the royal couple previously said, "The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became Monarch. This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace."
Shortly after that statement was released, the Palace said it would update the children's names in the line of succession "in due course," which turned out to be no more than a few hours.
But if OK!'s source is to be believed, the King feels his hand was forced by Harry and Meghan's decision to call their daughter "Princess Lilibet" in a public statement.
"King Charles feels railroaded," the source said. "As far as he was concerned the title matter had not yet been resolved."
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Lili was christened in Los Angeles last Friday, but none of the U.K.-based royals attended.
"They [the Royal Family] knew the christening was taking place but couldn't attend due to work commitments. They were invited at the very last minute," the source said.
"They had no idea that the title would be used in an official capacity."
Commentators have previously corroborated the idea that the royals skipped the christening because of their packed schedules, rather than to slight the Sussexes.
"Royal diaries are planned over a year in advance so they can fulfill official functions and support the immense amount of charities they visit each year. And then there is the small matter of planning for the coronation," royal historian Mok O'Keeffe previously told Marie Claire.
"I doubt this is in any way a snub—just a case of diary clashes."
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Taylor Swift Trolls "Godkids' Sperm Donor" Ryan Reynolds Amid 'Deadpool' Release
Proof that they're besties.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Zendaya Delivers a Podium-Worthy Pre-Olympics Gown
She's shining brighter than the City of Lights.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
'Love Island USA' Star Kenny Rodriguez Is Not "Playing Around" with His and JaNa Craig's Romance Outside of the Villa
The prince and princess of season 6 have remained the cutest couple since filming wrapped.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Critics Claim Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Tried to "Upstage" Prince George
"He wants to steal the thunder with his Invictus Games announcement."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Meghan Markle Put “Her Own Neck On the Line” to Support Embattled Prince Harry at the ESPYs Earlier This Month
“She chose to be there for her husband.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Apparently Made a Joint Decision Regarding Prince Harry As They Are “Very Consciously Focusing on Positivity and Recovery”
Though Kate’s health is improving, in her own words, she’s “not out of the woods.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Are “Drowning Out the Outside Noise” Surrounding Harry’s ESPY Award Backlash
The Sussexes are “very used to the criticism, given everything that’s gone on over the last few years.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Sits Down for Documentary to Speak About His Mission to Continue His Fight Against the U.K.'s Tabloid Press
Harry is expected to discuss the phone hacking scandal he was involved in alongside other celebrities like Hugh Grant in ‘Tabloids on Trial,’ out later this month on ITV.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry “Has No Plans on Turning Down” the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYs, “Despite Reports to the Contrary”
Harry is being honored for his work with the Invictus Games at the awards ceremony in Los Angeles tomorrow night.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie “Haven’t Communicated” with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle “For Quite a While Now”
“They are nowhere near as close as they once were.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Is Reportedly “Stunned” at the Negative Reaction to His ESPY Award Win, and Is Finding the Criticism a “Bitter Pill to Swallow”
“The reaction certainly took the shine off the award.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published