A royal expert revealed that the late Prince Philip had a less than flattering nickname for the Duchess of Sussex. The nickname hinted at a comparison to Wallis Simpson, the controversial wife of former King Edward VIII, drawing similarities between Meghan Markle and Wallis, both American and divorced when they married into the royal family. Allegedly, Prince Philip used a name that highlighted this connection when referring to Meghan.
Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII
Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee who became the Duchess of Windsor, was among the most controversial figures in recent royal history. This was after King Edward VIII chose to abdicate the throne in December 1936, just under a year into his reign, in order to marry her.
During that era, royals were forbidden from marrying divorced individuals – a regulation that remained in place until 2002, just three years before Prince Charles wed Camilla, as reported by the Royal Observer. After King Edward and Wallis Simpson tied the knot, they couldn’t return home without King George VI’s approval, as there were concerns it might provoke public unrest, according to Vogue. Throughout their exile, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor frequently made headlines. One of their most scandalous moments happened in 1937 during a visit to Nazi Germany when they were pictured giving the infamous Nazi salute while meeting Adolf Hitler.
Prince Philip’s harsh nickname
In an interview with GB News, royal biographer Ingrid Seward talked about Prince Philip’s thoughts. She said he saw similarities between Meghan and Wallis Simpson, leading him to give Meghan a nickname. Prince Philip, known for his sharp judgment, couldn’t ignore the likenesses between Meghan and Prince Harry and Edward and Mrs. Simpson.
“I think Prince Philip was very smart about people. He didn’t always see bad in them; he often tried to see the good,” 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 talked more about Prince Philip’s concerns about Meghan, saying he was “cautious” about the former Suits actress and how she might affect the royal family. While Prince Philip saw Meghan as possibly causing trouble, Queen Elizabeth II had “high hopes” for her, showing that there were different opinions within the royal family about Meghan’s role and impact.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle exited royal duties.
Since they stepped back from their royal duties in 2020 and moved to California, Meghan and Harry have kept a relatively low profile in royal matters. While Harry plans 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 due to safety concerns and a desire to avoid controversy. Although Meghan occasionally returns to the UK for significant events like Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, she has chosen not to attend others, such as King Charles III’s coronation, which Harry attended alone last year.
Meghan is clearly focusing on her safety and peace amid ongoing public attention and scrutiny of her relationship with the royal family. What do you think of this story? Share your thoughts in the comments!