According to a royal expert, the late Prince Philip had a rather pointed nickname for the Duchess of Sussex, and it wasn’t so kind.
The nickname hinted at a comparison to Wallis Simpson, the controversial wife of former King Edward VIII, drawing parallels between Meghan Markle and Wallis, both American and divorced when they married into the royal family.
Prince Philip supposedly referred to Meghan with a name that alluded to this connection.
Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII
Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée who became the Duchess of Windsor, was one of the most controversial royal figures in recent history after King Edward VIII decided to abdicate the throne in December 1936 (after less than a year as a monarch) to marry her.
At the time, royals were forbidden from marrying divorced individuals – a rule that remained in place until 2002, just three years before Prince Charles wed Camilla, as per the Royal Observer.
Following King Edward and Wallis Simpson’s marriage, they were not permitted to return home without the consent of his brother, the new King George VI, due to fears it could potentially cause public unrest, Vogue detailed.
During their exile, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor frequently made headlines, with one of their most shocking incidents occurring in 1937 when they visited Nazi Germany and were photographed giving the notorious Nazi salute upon meeting Adolf Hitler.
Prince Philip’s straightforward nickname
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward offered insights into Prince Philip’s perspective during an interview with GB News, suggesting that he saw similarities between Meghan and Wallis Simpson, leading to the adoption of a discreet nickname for the Duchess of Sussex.
Reportedly, Prince Philip, known for his keen judgment of character, couldn’t overlook the resemblances between Meghan and Prince Harry and Edward and Mrs. Simpson.
“I think that Prince Philip was very astute about people, and he didn’t always see bad in people; he often tried to see the good in them,” Seward said.
“He just couldn’t ignore the similarities between Meghan and Harry and Edward and Ms. Simpson, which is why he used to call her the Duchess of Windsor. Not to her face though, he used to call her DOW,” she added.
In her book ‘My Mother and I,’ Seward further explored Prince Philip’s reservations about Meghan, describing him as “wary” of the former Suits actress and her potential impact on the royal family.
While Prince Philip viewed Meghan as potentially disruptive, Queen Elizabeth II held “high hopes” for her, highlighting differing perspectives within the royal family regarding Meghan’s role and influence.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s departure from royal life
Since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020 and moving to California, Meghan and Harry have maintained a relatively low profile within the royal sphere.
While Harry is scheduled to visit the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, with a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, according to the Daily Express, Meghan is expected to stay in the US, citing safety concerns and a desire to avoid controversy.
Despite occasional returns to the UK for significant events like Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, Meghan has opted not to attend others, such as King Charles III’s coronation, which Harry attended alone last year.
It’s evident that Meghan is prioritizing her safety and peace amidst constant scrutiny and public interest in her relationship with the royal family.
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