Upon hearing the words Lilibet Diana, royal fans across the world immediately knew exactly who Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan were paying tribute to in naming their daughter.
Lilibet, the affectionate nickname for The Queen used only by her nearest and dearest and Diana, the late mother of Prince Harry and the People’s Princess – the perfect mix of grandmother and great mother – two trailblazing women.
But there was one question left on the lips of thousands of fans who still joyfully celebrated the baby’s arrival – where was Meghan’s side of the family in the name?
Of course, it pays to remember that some of Duchess Meghan’s direct family have had a turbulent time in the limelight, with her father and sister now estranged.
But Doria Ragland, Meghan’s kind and gentle mother remains a pillar in the Duchess’ life.
And incidentally, there actually is a sweet link to Doria in Lilibet’s name.
Meghan’s mother Doria is recognised in little Lilbet’s name.
(Getty)As revealed on her personal blog, The Tig Meghan’s mother used to call her “Flower” as a nickname.
As written in an old post (which has since been deleted along with her blog), her mother has called her Flower “since I was little.”
Harry and Meghan made it quite clear in their announcement that their daughter was to be known as “Lili” for short – a flower of its own kind and a reflection of Meghan and Doria’s mother-daughter bond now being passed on.
Doria’s influence lives on in her granddaughter, who will be known as “Lili”.
(Getty)In a previous interview with PEOPLE, a friend of Meghan’s revealed the Duchess “gets a lot of her strength from her mother.”
Their bond is undeniable – Meghan has also previously written about her mother influencing her to be an accepting and aware global citizen: “I must have been about 10 years old when we visited the slums of Jamaica,” she explained of a previous trip she took with Doria.
“I had never seen poverty at that level and it registered in my glazed brown eyes. ‘Don’t look scared, Flower,’ [Doria] said. ‘Be aware, but don’t be afraid.’,” the Duchess wrote.
Doria has always been a pillar of strength for Meghan.
(Getty)Meghan’s California-cool roots are also heavily interlinked with her trendy mum.
Speaking about Doria’s maternal side with a twist, Meghan wrote: “For me to watch this level of lifelong sensitivity to nurturing and caregiving, but at the same time my mum has always been a free spirit.
“She’s got dreadlocks and a nose ring. She just ran the LA Marathon. We can just have so much fun together, and yet, I’ll still find so much solace in her support.”
Want more news on the royal baby? Check out the stories below!
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Duchess Meghan & Prince Harry announce the birth of their second child – a baby girl!
Duchess Meghan’s second pregnancy made way for a new wave of royal maternity fashion
Princess, Duchess, Lady…? Here’s the go on what title Harry & Meghan’s baby girl will take
Meet the Markles: The other non-royal side of Baby Sussex’s family
The fascinating story of Lilbet’s doting Grandma: Doria Ragland
Get ready to swoon: A definitive timeline of Duchess Meghan and Prince Harry’s love story
