Queen Elizabeth II Considers Meghan Markle To Be Her 'Favorite Duchess'

Sorry, Kate! It seems Queen Elizabeth II may be playing favorites when it comes to her granddaughters-in-law.

In the April 8 print issue of In Touch Weekly magazine, it is reported that Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are looking to name their baby after Harry’s late mother, Princess Diana. The magazine also claims that the couple sought name approval from the reigning British monarch.

“Although it’s not an official rule to tell the queen baby names in advance, the royals ask for her permission as a sign of respect,” an insider informed the magazine.

According to the report, though the queen and Princess Diana didn’t have the best relationship, she is said to have approved of her grandson and his wife’s name choice.

“She thinks the world of Meghan,” said the insider. “And she would never say no to her favorite duchess.”

READ: Queen Elizabeth II’s Decision To Bend Royal Protocol For Meghan Markle Revisited

It is also reported that Meghan convinced Harry to name their child, who the magazine claims to know is a girl, after his late mother despite their niece, Princess Charlotte, having Diana as her middle name. The magazine goes on to share that Meghan was happy to receive the queen’s name approval as she may have had an “ulterior motive” to selecting Diana.

“It means her baby will probably be more popular than Charlotte and [Prince] Louis,” the insider explained. “Since [Prince] George will be king one day, it’s hard to say whether she’ll be bigger than him.”

Adds the source, “As usual, Meghan is all about having the focus on her, so of course she wants to name the baby after the most talked about princess in the world.”