Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana arrived on May 2, 2015, but her parents, Prince William and Catherine, settled on her name years earlier. Reports indicate Catherine preferred Alexander for a boy or Alexandra—sharing Queen Elizabeth’s middle name—for a girl. William hoped for a daughter and insisted on honoring his late mother, Princess Diana, through a middle name.
William’s Sentimental Naming Choice
Prince William, now 43 and son of King Charles, prioritized a tribute to Princess Diana, who died tragically on August 31, 1997, from injuries in a Paris car crash under the Pont de l’Alma tunnel. Charlotte’s full name reflects this heartfelt decision, blending family legacy with royal tradition.
Harry Echoes the Tribute
Years later, Prince William’s brother, Prince Harry, mirrored the gesture. He and Meghan Markle named their daughter Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-Windsor, born June 4, 2021, at 11:40 a.m. at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital in California.
The couple announced the name via their official website, stating: “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.”
Harry and Meghan added: “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.”
The Sussexes, residing in Montecito, California, also welcomed son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor in 2019.
