Though the public knew her as Queen Elizabeth II, those within her inner circle were allowed to call her by a much more unusual name—one that was rarely spoken of publicly.

Over the years, the Queen was known by several affectionate nicknames. One of the most well-known was “Lilibet,” a childhood moniker she gave herself when she struggled to pronounce her own name. That name later inspired Prince Harry and Meghan Markle when naming their daughter.

An Uncommon Name Among Trusted Friends

However, among a very select group of friends, Queen Elizabeth was known by an entirely different nickname: “Jemima.” Lady Elizabeth Anson—often called Liza by those close to her—was one of the few who used this name. Liza, who passed away five years ago at the age of 79, had a long-standing bond with the Queen and often spoke about their close relationship.

According to royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, Liza once shared a private exchange with her just two weeks before Prince Harry married Meghan Markle. Recalling the conversation, Sally wrote in The Times:

“Liza had just heard from the Queen. ‘Number One Lady – I call her Jemima – says the jury is out on whether she likes Meghan. My Jemima is very worried. Harry is besotted and weak about women. We hope but don’t quite think she is in love. We think she engineered it all.’”

A Relationship Marked by Deep Trust

The article further highlighted the Queen’s affection for Liza. Despite her illness, Liza remained active in royal engagements. In 2018, she was invited to a state dinner in the Netherlands and was also given a seat in the Queen’s box at Ascot.

Even after being diagnosed with lung cancer in 2019, Liza continued her duties. She told Sally in a phone call on June 16: “I am working on Ascot. And I had a lovely talk with Jemima. I can sit in her box whenever I want, and I have asked if I can put oxygen in her cupboards there.”

The nickname “Jemima” is an unusual but affectionate choice. Biblically, Jemima was one of Job’s daughters, symbolizing beauty, innocence, and peace—much like the dove, with which the name is also associated. While the exact reason Liza chose this name remains unclear, it was clearly used with great fondness.

Other Royal Nicknames Through the Years

Queen Elizabeth had other family nicknames as well. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren lovingly called her “Gan-Gan” or simply “Granny.” Her late husband, Prince Philip, was even said to have referred to her as “Cabbage”—though no one knows for sure why.

And the Queen wasn’t alone in having endearing private names. Many members of the royal family have used or been given affectionate nicknames, often revealing a more personal side of their lives that the public rarely sees.