A royal expert revealed that the late Prince Philip had an unflattering nickname for the Duchess of Sussex.
The nickname implied a comparison to Wallis Simpson, the contentious spouse of former King Edward VIII, highlighting similarities between Meghan Markle and Wallis, as both were American and divorced when they entered the royal family.
Prince Philip supposedly referred to Meghan with a name that made reference to this connection.
Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII
Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee who became the Duchess of Windsor, is remembered as one of the most contentious royal figures in modern history. This notoriety arose when King Edward VIII chose to abdicate the throne in December 1936, just months into his reign, in order to marry her.
Royals were not allowed to marry divorced individuals until 2002, a rule that remained in place until just three years before Prince Charles wed Camilla, according to the Royal Observer.
After King Edward married Wallis Simpson, they needed permission from his brother, the new King George VI, to return home due to concerns about possible public unrest, as reported by Vogue.
The Duke and Duchess of Windsor were frequently in the news during their exile, with one of the most controversial moments happening in 1937 when they traveled to Nazi Germany and were captured in a photograph giving the infamous Nazi salute while meeting Adolf Hitler.
Prince Philip’s brutal nickname
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward shared insights into Prince Philip’s views in an interview with GB News, indicating that he believed Meghan and Wallis Simpson had numerous similarities, which resulted in him giving the Duchess of Sussex a subtle nickname.
Prince Philip, noted for his keen ability to assess character according to Seward, reportedly could not ignore the similarities between Meghan and Prince Harry and Edward and Mrs. Simpson.
“I think that Prince Philip was very canny about people and he didn’t always see bad in people, he often tried to see the good in them,” Seward said.
He couldn’t escape the parallels between Meghan and Harry and Edward and Ms. Simpson, which is why he referred to her as the Duchess of Windsor. However, he never said it to her directly; he called her DOW instead, she added.
In her book ‘My Mother and I’, Seward explored Prince Philip’s concerns regarding Meghan, characterizing him as “cautious” about the former Suits actress and her possible influence on the royal family.
Prince Philip viewed Meghan as a possible source of disruption, whereas Queen Elizabeth II had “high hopes” for her, reflecting contrasting opinions within the royal family about Meghan’s impact and position.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left royal life
Since stepping back from royal responsibilities in 2020 and moving to California, Meghan and Harry have kept a fairly low profile in royal circles.
Harry will travel to the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, with a service scheduled at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8, as reported by the Daily Express. Meghan plans to stay in the US, citing safety issues and a wish to prevent any controversy.
Meghan has chosen not to attend several important events, including King Charles III’s coronation, which Harry went to by himself last year, despite making occasional trips back to the UK for significant occasions like Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022.
It’s clear that Meghan is choosing to prioritizing her safety and peace amidst constant scrutiny and public interest in her relationship with the royal family.