Why Queen Elizabeth Could Choose Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Baby’s Name

GettyImages-1129880884 (1) — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will have to change their baby’s name if Queen Elizabeth commands it. The couple is pictured exiting Westminster Abbey in London after Commonwealth Day services on March 11, 2019. Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

They are the ones who are becoming parents for the first time, but Prince Harry and Meghan Markle should be prepared with a backup name for their child if a key member of the royal family vetoes their initial choice.

According to Express UK, since Queen Elizabeth is the first to be notified of the baby’s birth, the name the public learns later on for the new child could be different from the one that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex pitch to her. As head of state, the Queen has the power to veto their choice if she doesn’t care for it and finds it too obscure.

However, it is being reported as unlikely that she wouldn’t approve of whatever name the couple chooses, and will allow them to name their child whatever they please.

“It would naturally be expected that the Queen would be informed of the names chosen for her great-grandchild. It would be a courtesy to let her know and highly unlikely that she would raise any objection,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Express UK.

“It will be particularly interesting to see the names Harry and Meghan will choose as they are likely to reflect the baby’s unique Anglo-American heritage,” he added.

As or what name the couple will choose, bookies have found some top picks when it comes to if the pair welcome a girl. Though Victoria was previously the most favored name, bookmakers Coral now have Diana in the top spot at 6/1 odds. Should the couple go with that name for a daughter, it would be to honor the memory of Prince Harry’s mother, who died in a car accident in 1997.

Coral’s Harry Aitkenhead told Express that he thinks it would be a wonderful choice for the couple to do that because of the impact the name would have.

“It would certainly be a popular choice for Royal fans and an emotional one for the family, whilst there will be plenty of people celebrating their winnings if it does end up being the name,” he said.

If the couple should welcome a boy however, Albert and Philip are tied as the potential name, with odds of 12/1.