Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced the arrival of their daughter, Lilibet 'Lili' Diana Mountbatten-Windsor.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were already parents to three-year-old son Archie, confirmed they were expecting another child with a beautiful black and white photograph taken remotely in their California garden earlier this year.
Announcing the news of their newborn's arrival on their website Archewell, a spokesperson for the couple wrote: 'The Duke and Duchess of Sussex welcomed their second child, a girl, into the world on Friday (June 4) at 11:40 in a hospital in Santa Barbara, California.
'She weighed 7 lbs 11 oz. Both mother and child are healthy and well, and settling in at home.'
Following the couple's announcement of Markle's recent pregnancy in March potential baby names for the tot became a hot topic.
After all, there was much made of the significance of 'Archie', which was inspired by the Greek word 'Arche', which means 'source of action'. The Sussexes later named their charitable non-profit organisation Archewell.
However, the royal couple's choice of Lilibet Diana is clearly in tribute to Prince Harry's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II who is commonly known by her family as Lilibet, as well as the late Princess Diana.
According to the Familyeducation.com the name Elizabeth, which 'Lilibet' derives from, has origins in Herbew and has several meanings including 'My God is an oath', 'My God is abundance', and 'pledged to God'. Meanwhile, Diana is Greek origin and means 'divine'.
Prior to the royal baby's arrival, here were the names touted as possible frontrunners for the second infant Sussex?
Diana
Elizabeth
... Which brings us on to the next suggested name. 'Elizabeth' was previously at 16/1 odds.
Despite the intense media speculation surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's decision to step back as senior working members of the royal family, the couple have made a point of publicly praising and respecting Queen Elizabeth II on multiple occasions.
During the couple's chat with Oprah Winfrey, Prince Harry said he has a 'really good relationship' with his grandmother and has spoken to her more over the past year than in the recent years preceding that.
Philippa
It was also suggested in recent days that Philippa could have been an option for the couple, paying tribute to Prince Harry's grandfather the late Duke of Edinburgh. The name has royal ties too, Queen Philippa of Hainault who married King Edward III. It has also been suggested that Queen Philippa was Britain's Black queen in the UK.
Grace, Alice and Alexandria
Three of the favourites were Grace (16/1), Alice (16/1) and Alexandria (20/1), which we have grouped together in this case, because as baby name expert and 'Baby Name Consultancy' podcast host SJ Ljungstrom explains, these three names always surface as favourites for a royal baby girl.
The three names all have been used by royalty before (Alice was Prince Philip's mother and Princess Alexandria is the Queen's cousin).
Maya
Ljungstrom told us that Maya was another top contender and attributed this to Markle's well-documented feminism and admiration of pioneering women, like celebrated late poet Maya Angelou.
'Angelou's quote “love recognises no barriers” was tweeted by close friend Elton John during the couples wedding night,' Ljungstrom reminded us. 'Meghan has also purchased a Rolex and had it engraved “to MM, from MM” stating she planned to give it to her future daughter.'
Dahlia
Another of Ljungstrom's predictions was Dahlia, taking its name from the flower which symbolises 'dignity and grace under pressure'.
'Dahlia is my other choice for the couple,' explained Ljungstrom. 'Honouring both Diana and Doria, Meghan’s mother, this bold floral name is a gorgeous choice... In Victorian times the Dahlia flowers were given between couples to symbolise a lifelong commitment, suitable for the pair who have stepped outside of the royal family determined to forge their own path.'
Amai
Another suggestion was Amai, which Ljungstrom believed would compliment elder brother Archie's name perfectly. 'Amai is an African name literally meaning “Mother” so it could be a strong way to bring Diana into their daughter's life without burdening her with unwanted comparisons,' she told us.
According to Oddschecker, other names with an odds ranking attached included Daisy, Olivia, Florence and Rose, all at 50/1.
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