Who will Lilibet’s godparents be? From Meghan Markle and Prince Harry pal Oprah to other A-list celebs they might choose
MEGHAN Markle and Prince Harry have just announced the birth of their daughter, Lilibet, but who could the baby's godparents be?
Oprah Winfrey along with a host of other A-listers could be among those chosen to be godparents to the baby girl born on Friday, insiders say.
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Meghan and Harry welcomed their daughter, Lilibet, “Lili” Diana Mountbatten-Windsor in Santa Barbara, California, on Friday at 11.40am, it has been announced.
The baby girl weighed 7lbs 11oz and "both mother and child are healthy and well and settling in at home".
Her name Lilibet is a touching nod to her great-grandmother the Queen, who was affectionately called the nickname by her family.
So who is in the running to receive the coveted godparent role?
Oprah Winfrey
The US chat show powerhouse has grown close to the Sussexes and was chosen for their bombshell tell-all chat after Megxit.
It has now been hinted at Oprah could become a permanent fixture in Harry and Meghan's life and is being considered for the role of godmother.
Pal Omid Scobie suggested Oprah was in the frame, saying: "If one of those godparents is Oprah - and I’m not saying that she is - then you can understand why perhaps they want to keep that to themselves because even Oprah sitting down to interview them was controversial enough in itself.”
The hint has been echoed by an insider, who claims the "coveted role" has been "reserved" for Oprah following the explosive interview in March.
The source told : "Meghan thinks Oprah would be the perfect godmother for her daughter.
“She wants her girl to be surrounded by strong female role models, and Oprah certainly fits the bill. She’s been a real support to both her and Harry since they moved to California, and Meghan knows she can rely on her, no matter what."
But Oprah is not the only "strong" woman in Meghan's life who could make the cut.
Other A-list pals the couple have grown close to since their move to the US include morning TV host Gayle King.
Gayle King
The presenter has become a mouthpiece for the couple - revealing in April it was "no secret" Harry and William's relationship was "strained".
She also led coverage of Prince Philip's funeral and told how Harry had staged "unproductive" talks with his brother and dad after the Oprah chat.
Serena Williams
Tennis ace Serena Williams, who was a guest at the couple's wedding in 2018, could be picked after a seven-year friendship with Meghan.
The pair have been pals since meeting at a glitzy event and Meghan has been pictured supporting the champ at a string of tennis matches.
Gushing Serena recently heaped praise on the former actress' "strength and poise" - claiming she was the "strongest person I know".
Beyonce
Megastar Beyonce could also be in the picture after she also praised Meghan for speaking out in her Oprah interview.
The singer, who was famously snapped with Meghan and Harry at The Lion King premiere in London in 2019, said: "Thank you Meghan for your courage and leadership.
"We are all strengthened and inspired by you."
Meghan could also hark back to her days as an actress when making the important decision.
Katharine McPhee
Her old pal Katharine McPhee, who rose to fame on American Idol before making the leap to TV, was originally billed as a godmother to Archie.
His godparents were famously kept secret by the couple but if Katharine was not chosen last time, it's likely she will be considered now.
Her and Meghan have been friends since they attended school and used to appear in musicals together as children.
And with royal babies usually having around six godparents, Meghan and Harry may choose to round off the list with the Clooneys.
George and Amal Clooney
George and Amal Clooney were surprise guests at the royal wedding - with later reports suggesting the A-listers "didn't actually know" the newlyweds.
But Harry and George's shared passion for motorcycles and a rumoured break at his and Amal's lavish Lake Como home in 2018 seems to have cemented the friendship.
We also reported in 2019 that Meghan flew back from her New York baby shower with Amal on her private jet.
George himself joked about Archie being born on the same day as his own birthday - and said making him a godfather would be a "bad idea".
He told Jimmy Kimmel Live: "I shouldn’t be the godfather. I’m a father of twins; I can barely do that.
"I’m not going to be the godfather. I promise you that… [I] should not be anyone’s godfather.”
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But with his twins now approaching their fifth birthday, the Ocean's Eleven star might have more time on his hands nowadays.
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Meghan and Harry made the controversial decision of keeping Archie's godparents a secret after his private christening.
It was later reported Harry’s friend Charlie van Straubenzee, former nanny Tiggy Pettifer and ex-equerry to the Prince of Wales Mark Dyer were made godparents.
