Lilibet was the nickname used by Queen Elizabeth II’s husband, Prince Philip, and Harry and Meghan likely believed that they were paying tribute to the monarch in moving fashion.
But according to one royal expert, the couple was dead wrong.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex greet members of the public at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia on April 17, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Hugo Vickers is a royal historian who’s currently promoting his new book, titled Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History.
During a recent appearance on the “Daily T “podcast, Vickers lashed out at Harry and Meghan for naming their daughter after the queen’s intimate nickname.
“Wasn’t it rather sweet for them to call their daughter Lilibet after the queen’s name?” host Camilla Tominey asked.
“Oh, well, that was odious,” Vickers replied, adding:
“To use the queen’s name that was used by her actual private family? No. That’s absolutely shocking.”
As Vickers and others have noted, the name did not originate with Philip, but rather with Elizabeth’s father, King George VI.
Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex on the balcony of Buckingham Palace as the Royal family attend events to mark the Centenary of the RAF on July 10, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The name stemmed from the queen’s inability to pronounce “Elizabeth” when she was a young child.
“Lilibet is my pride. Margaret is my joy,” George famously quipped when both the queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, were in their youth.
When Philip passed away in 2021, at the age of 99, Elizabeth placed a note atop his coffin that read, “In loving memory, Lilibet.”
Many royal observers believed that that would be the last time the queen’s intimate nickname would ever be used in a public setting.
So it came as quite a shock when Harry and Meghan announced just two months later that they had christened their daughter with the moniker.
While Lilibet was just a nickname for the queen, Harry and Meghan’s daughter is legally named Lilibet Diana.
The queen never spoke publicly about the name, but there have been rumors that she was not as honored as Harry and Meghan hoped she would be.
The decision probably was not as controversial as Vickers is making out to be, but it does seem that Harry and Meghan did not consult the queen before choosing their daughter’s name.
She’s arguably thrown cis women’s rights under the bus, too. And her political support puts her at odds with vast swathes of America.
Now, however, she’s facing discrimination from the policies that she voted for. She’s shocked, and appealing to Trump to personally intervene.
During an interview on ‘Tomi Lahren Is Fearless,’ Caitlyn Jenner complains about the discriminatory policies for which she voted. (Image Credit: YouTube/Fox News)
Her passport is wrong, and Trump isn’t likely to fix it
In a recent interview, Caitlyn spoke to Tomi Lohren about a myriad of topics — including her own humiliation at the hands of the Trump regime.
The 76-year-old Olympian and reality TV personality revealed that she had recently updated her passport.
Unfortunately, it came back with a gender marker of “M.” This does not accurately represent her gender, so she submitted a request for this to be corrected. It was not.
“What do I do?” she asked Tomi. “This is a safety factor. I can’t travel internationally anymore. I can’t use my passport.”
This isn’t a paperwork error on Cait’s part. She had all of her documentation updated over a decade ago. This is malice at the federal level.
“All my documentation was right: my passport, my Global Entry,” Caitlyn emphasized. “I traveled around the world,”
She admitted: “I’m trying to figure out at this point what to do. For a lot of people, this is a huge issue.”
Cait shared that she had written a letter to Trump “explaining all of this to him, how it’s affecting me and a lot of other people.”
She lamented: “I haven’t heard from him.”
Caitlyn has been voicing support for Trump since the 2016 election cycle. He name -dropped her during the Republican primary that year, in a then-positive light. None of that matters now, clearly.
Tomi Lahren interviews Caitlyn Jenner. Both women have, in their own ways, discovered that being conservatives gets them acceptance from other conservatives … until it’s no longer convenient. (Image Credit: YouTube/Fox News)
She’d never blame Trump for Trump’s policies, of course
“He’s kind of busy right now,” Cait claimed without specifying. “My gender marker is not big on the issue. OK.”
Though it sometimes feels like Donald Trump spends all day posting to social media and repeatedly pressing a button labeled sabotage economy, he also takes time to golf and attend UFC fights. Didn’t he also visit Vegas a few days ago?
“So I get that, and I’m not blaming him whatsoever,” Caitlyn assured. “I love the guy, and I love what he’s doing.”
She also highlighted that this policy could impact her ability to vote.
(It’s unclear why she’s saying this, as she famously resides in Malibu, where she is presumably registered to vote. Some states have implemented voter ID laws and similar voter suppression policies, but California has not.)
According to Caitlyn, she believes that this policy was not “really thought out, what this means.”
Unfortunately, that is not the truth.
Though incompetence is a defining feature of the Trump regime, this particular policy making her feel hurt, unsafe to travel, and possibly unable to vote means that it’s working exactly as intended.
She is transgender. Like countless other policies flowing out of the Trump White House, sabotaging her identification documents like this is a deliberate attempt to make her feel disenfranchised, to make her life more difficult, and to make her
Cait isn’t even the first trans celebrity to run into this problem. Euphoria actress Hunter Schafer raised the alarm back in February 2025.
Even as Caitlyn Jenner complains about the discriminatory policies for which she voted, she affirms her support for her preferred candidate. (Image Credit: YouTube/Fox News)
This is inevitable for Trump supporters who aren’t straight, white, able-bodied, Christian, cisgender men
This is another clear example of the classic tweet: “‘I never thought leopards would eat MY face,’ sobs woman who voted for the Leopards Eating People’s Faces Party.”
Caitlyn voted for this, but never thought that it would harm her — just vague other people who aren’t her.
She voted for this because she believed that her support for Trump, her celebrity status, or her immense wealth would insulate her from the policies designed to harm countless Americans.
Ultimately, supporting fascists does not protect you from their policies. The true believers do not see you as a person. And the bulk of fascists — opportunists with juvenile worldviews — see you as an inconvenience as soon as you stop being a useful idiot.
Trump has no need to reward Caitlyn for her loyalty unless she can give him something that he wants. She’s one of many marginalized individuals who voted for Trump for their own complex-yet-inexcusable reasons, only for this vote to blow up in their faces.
SoFi, a one-stop shop for digital financial services, is teaming up with the Country Music Association and Kelsea Ballerini to launch the “Amplify Your Ambitions” contest, which aims to empower the next generation of emerging artists. The nationwide search gives artists the chance to win up to $200,000 and perform at an exclusive CMA Fest concert.
Now through April 30, artists can enter for the grand prize of $200,000 or one of two $50,000 runner-up prizes. SoFi will select three finalists, and a panel of judges across music and finance, alongside a public vote, will determine the winner. Judges include Ballerini, Vivian Tu, SoFi’s Chief of Financial Empowerment and founder of Your Rich BFF, and four-time GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter Shane McAnally.
Photo Courtesy of Kelsea Ballerini
The winner will be revealed on June 4, when all three finalists perform an intimate concert in Nashville in front of the judges. Entrants will be evaluated on the originality of their sound, the creativity of their storytelling, the quality of their performance, and how they intend to use this opportunity to grow and develop in their musical careers.
“I know firsthand how much it takes to build a career in music, especially when you’re funding it on your own,” said Ballerini. “That’s why I’m excited to partner with SoFi on this. We’re looking for artists with passion, determination, and a strong sense of who they are, artists who are not only committed to their craft but thoughtful about how they invest in themselves and their music.”
The contest also highlights the reality that success in music often requires more than talent alone. According to SoFi, 75% of artists are self-funding their careers, with more than half carrying debt from their creative pursuits. Through “Amplify Your Ambitions,” SoFi aims to demonstrate how the assistance from financial tools and resources can help artists nationwide advance in their careers.
“At SoFi, we’re focused on helping people take control of their financial futures,” said Lauren Stafford Webb, Chief Marketing Officer at SoFi. “Our partnership with Kelsea and CMA reflects a shared commitment to investing in the next generation of artists and the fans who support them. As the presenting sponsor for CMA Fest, we’re extending our commitment by empowering SoFi members with the financial tools and support they need to build stability, grow their money, and make meaningful progress towards their long term goals.”
Photo Courtesy of SoFi
Aspiring artists who are musicians, solo artists or groups can submit entries at AmplifyYourAmbitions.com, running now through April 30 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Entrants must be 18 or older, U.S. residents, and have a registered SoFi account.
Hannah Harper leveled up her performance and had her “redemption moment” on Monday evening as she returned to the American Idol stage for Disney Night.
The Season 24 contestant opened up to this week’s guest judge Jennifer Hudson about how her previous performance of Jo Dee Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California” sparked criticism online with users claiming her performance level doesn’t match the talent of her voice. With that feedback in mind, Harper made a strong effort to go out of her comfort zone and add some choreography to her delivery.
“Two weeks ago, I had all this choreography planned for ‘Heads Carolina, Tails California’ and I went out there and I froze like a statue,” Harper admitted. “And then as soon as I got online, everyone’s like, ‘Her voice is okay, but she sucks at performing.’ And I was like, ‘Yes, she does. They’re not wrong.’ This week is my redemption moment.”
Hannah Harper; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Luckily, Hudson was there to help ease Haper’s nerves. The pair of artists practiced a bit of light choreography that helped the singer feel more comfortable with moving around the stage as she sang “Almost There” from Princess and the Frog. Hudson gave her the idea to just imagine that she’s at home dancing around the house with her three boys.
“Bringing me back home is super helpful just because it reminds me that’s my comfort zone. Acting like I’m just singing to my babies and just carrying on and that will change everything for me,” Harper reflected.
She began the performance seated on a stool beside the piano, wearing a stunning pink silk gown with matching gloves and a hairstyle reminiscent of the 1920s era the film is set in. Harper fully stepped into the character behind the song, starting with a softer, more intimate delivery before gradually rising from her seat and moving across the stage.
As the performance built, she connected with the audience more and more, leaning into the moment and letting the energy of the song take over. By the final chorus, she was moving freely across the stage and delivered a final note to remember. Her powerful vocals once again stood out, earning a standing ovation from the judges, her fellow contestants, and the live audience.
Luke Bryan was first to speak from the judging panel, and without hesitation admitted he “loved” the performance, calling it “one of my favorite performances you’ve ever done.”
“It made my heart smile. It made me smile watching you grow into…You kind of started with this Reba McEntire attitude thing and then you grew into your character, and you didn’t overdo anything. You did it perfectly,” he praised.
Lionel Richie also commended her delivery but offered some helpful advice at the same time.
“I learned this long time ago. What you do is…whatever shoes you’re going to wear on stage, make sure you wear them in rehearsal so that your shoes don’t scare you to death when you start moving. I saw you concentrating on ‘how much can I dare on that step?’ Otherwise, your performance was amazing.”
Hannah Harper; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Next up was Carrie Underwood, who revealed that she related to Harper’s situation as she too was criticized during her Idol days for not being a very strong performer.
“This is another way that you remind me of myself because I got dragged when I was on this show for not moving enough. And honestly, it was just, I had never done anything like this before. And now I can’t not move. I can sing with my entire body,” she explained, giving the singer some hope that she will learn and grow with time.”
“So I feel like you are on your way. Just keep taking those steps. Keep getting more comfortable in the space that you’re in. You were in character. You sounded beautiful. You look gorgeous. You should be very proud,” Underwood added.
Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Lionel Richie; Photo by Disney/Eric McCandless
Hudson agreed with her fellow judges and congratulated Harper on all the progress she made, even just from their time together backstage to the full-blown performance.
“Everything they just said and more, you look absolutely beautiful, first of all. And I love how you were natural and true to yourself in this moment. And I know that’s not your cup of tea to be able to perform and sing, but you stood there and you sang this song and you gave us a little bit here and there. You’re on your way,” she told Harper.
Hannah Harper’s performance earned her enough of American’s votes to move forward in the Top 7. She is joined by Daniel Stallworth, Keyla Richardson, Jordan McCullough, Chris Tungseth, Brooks Rosser, and Braden Rumfelt.
Next week on American Idol the remaining contestants will take part in “Taylor Swift Night,” performing hits from the superstar’s catalog in hopes of securing a spot in the Top 5. Comedian and “Swiftie” Nikki Glaser will also join as a guest judge.
American Idol airs Mondays at 8/7c on ABC and Disney+ and steams the next day on Hulu.
Riley Green’s character Garrett is currently booked for a four-episode arc on ‘Marshals’ — but will there be more? Continue reading…The Boot – Country Music News, Music Videos and Songs
Riley Green’s character Garrett is currently booked for a four-episode arc on ‘Marshals’ — but will there be more? Continue reading…Country Music News – Taste of Country
You never know who will show up to join Brandon Lake on his King of Hearts Tour. He’s recently welcomed country superstar Cody Johnson to the stage, while other stops have featured appearances from Gary LeVox of Rascal Flatts and Bailey Zimmerman. So when the tour rolled into the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday, April 19, fans were left wondering who might show up next, and they got their answer when country hitmaker Jordan Davis took the stage.
Midway through the show, Lake stepped forward and welcomed Davis out in an intimate setup featuring two stools at center stage.
Before the pair launched into Davis’ hit “Buy Dirt,” Lake shared the personal meaning the song holds for him.
Brandon Lake, Jordan Davis; Photo Provided
“Brittany and I, we moved out of the city and my life just started getting really busy. We put an offer on this house and we had to wait six months till we moved out there. What I didn’t realize is that that land would heal me in ways I didn’t know I needed healing,” he shared. “And me and Brittany played this song every single day and this became our anthem. And so I wanted you to share it with us.”
Together, with acoustic guitars in hand, the two delivered a stripped-down performance of the chart-topping hit.
Lake later shared a video of the moment on social media, writing, “My boy Jordan Davis wrote one of my all-time favorite songs, so of course I had to have him come sing it on the KOH tour.”
Davis was quick to respond, adding, “Awesome night brother, thank you for having me out…Let’s do it again soon.”
The moment clearly struck a chord with fans in attendance as well.
One concertgoer wrote, “I was at the concert last night and what a powerful message and moment seeing this live. What a beautiful song and meaning behind it,” while another added, “A highlight from the most incredible night!!!! I love you both!!!!”
Brandon Lake, Jordan Davis; Photo Provided
In addition to sharing the stage with some of country music’s biggest stars on tour, Lake recently released “The Jesus I Know Now” with superstar Lainey Wilson.
“The love and support around this song has honestly been more than I could’ve expected. I’ve been blown away by the stories how God is using this song to reshape how you view Jesus. While my sin breaks his heart, I’m thankful for a love and grace that always extends and pushes me to want to be a better man. Grace isn’t an excuse to sin, but if it had a limit, I sure would’ve used it all up by now. While we are all loved, we are all the misfit, the thief, the outcast, the sinner that He chose to bring close, sit with, listen, forgive, forgive, forgive, then forgive again,” he recently shared. “Thankful for those of you who have lived with this song and even chosen to share it with your friends and family! To God be the glory and massive thanks to the young queen of country music Lainey Wilson for sharing this one with me.”
Brandon Lake’s King of Hearts Tour continues on Thursday, April 23 in Greenville, South Carolina.
