FUMING Prince Harry today threatened legal action against the BBC over claims he didn't ask the Queen to name his baby daughter Lilibet.
A sensational war of words has erupted between Harry and Meghan Markle, the Palace and the broadcaster.
🔵 Read our Meghan and Harry live blog for the latest updates
The row was started when a Palace source told the BBC the Sussexes "never asked" Her Majesty about using her childhood nickname.
Harry then hit back just 90 minutes later saying his grandmother was "supportive" of his choice of name and the couple wouldn't have used it if this wasn't the case.
The battle has now intensified after Harry and Meghan threatened the BBC with legal action through law firm Schillings.
The threat came just hours after he attempted to clear the drama up in a statement issued through spokesperson Omid Scobie.
WAR OF WORDS
It read: "The Duke spoke with his family in advance of the announcement, in fact his grandmother was the first family member he called.
"During that conversation, he shared their hope of naming their daughter Lilibet in her honor.
"Had she not been supportive, they would not have used the name."
The unprecedented briefing war was sparked when the BBC published a story claiming the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had not asked the Queen about using the name Lilibet.
Pals of the couple have been quick to weigh in – with one quoting friends who confirmed Harry spoke to "close family" ahead of the announcement.
Sources had previously suggested Palace officials were left out of the loop – and only found out at 5pm along with the rest of the world.
It wasn't until 6.34pm – over an hour and a half after Meghan and Harry's announcement – that the Royal Family released a well-wishing statement about the good news.
The row between Harry and the BBC comes just weeks after he slammed the broadcaster over its Panorama interview with Princess Diana.
A damning report by Lord Dyson found Martin Bashir lied to trick Diana into taking part in the bombshell 1995 chat after her split from Prince Charles.
Harry claimed the "culture of exploitation" took his mother's life and said the probe is the "first step towards justice and truth."
In a statement, the royal added: "Our mother was an incredible woman who dedicated her life to service. She was resilient, brave, and unquestionably honest.
"The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life.
"To those who have taken some form of accountability, thank you for owning it.
"That is the first step towards justice and truth.
"Yet what deeply concerns me is that practices like these – and even worse- are still widespread today.
"Then, and now, it's bigger than one outlet, one network, or one publication."
The 36-year-old added: "Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed.
"By protecting her legacy, we protect everyone, and uphold the dignity with which she lived her life.
"Let's remember who she was and what she stood for."
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