The Royal Family Nicknames Revealed
The Royal Family Nicknames Revealed offers a unique glimpse into the more personable side of British royalty, shattering the pristine image that often surrounds these public figures. While King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, and others maintain an air of elegance during official engagements, they also share affectionate and sometimes amusing nicknames behind closed doors. These nicknames reflect the warmth and familiarity of familial relationships, providing insight into their private lives and dynamics.
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Nicknames
To the world at large, King Charles is “His Majesty,” but those within his inner circle have a different view. According to Royal Insider, he and Queen Camilla affectionately referred to each other as “Fred and Gladys,” a playful nod to characters from the classic British radio show “The Goon Show.” This charm was evident even before they tied the knot.
When it comes to their grandchildren—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—they simply call him “Grandpa Wales.” Meanwhile, Camilla’s grandkids prefer the endearing title “Uppa.” During a documentary titled “Charles III: A Coronation Year,” Princess Anne revealed she calls her brother “old bean.” Both Prince William and Prince Harry refer to him as “Pa,” and Kate Middleton has been overheard fondly calling him “Grandpa.”
Camilla, too, has a collection of nicknames. Beyond “Gladys,” she was humorously dubbed “Lorraine,” derived from the French word la reine, meaning “the queen.” Staff at Clarence House often refer to her as “the lady boss,” while her grandchildren affectionately call her “Gaga.” As her former daughter-in-law, Sara Parker Bowles, noted in 2023, “She’s just Gaga to them, and that’s how they see her.”
William, Kate, and More of the Royal Family’s Nicknames
Prince William and Princess Kate may appear flawless at public events, but they, too, have humorous nicknames for one another. Reports suggest that Kate has playfully called William “Big Willy” and jokingly referred to him as “Baldy.” Conversely, William has used the affectionate term “Babykins” during the earlier stages of their romance.
Further adding to the familial humor, Prince Harry disclosed in his memoir, Spare, that he has always called William “Willy.” Their late mother, Princess Diana, affectionately referred to her eldest son as “Wombat.” Mike Tindall, a cousin-in-law, even teased on The Rob Burrow podcast, suggesting William is known as “One Pint Willy,” remarking humorously that he is “not the best of drinkers.” In response, William chuckled, stating, “When you say you’re not going to mention anyone’s nicknames, that doesn’t mean you can then mention mine. That’s not fair.”
As for Kate, she had her own set of childhood nicknames. Known as “Squeak” because of her school’s guinea pigs, she is also referred to as “Cath” by Prince Harry. Their children have equally charming monickers: George is called “PG,” which friends transformed into “PG Tips,” while Charlotte is lovingly termed “Lottie.” Young Louis responds to “Lou Bugs” or “Lou Lou.”
Harry, Meghan, and the Other Royals’ Nicknames
Prince Harry arguably holds the title for the most nicknames within the royal household. Over time, he’s been known as “Harold” (his brother’s choice), “Spike” (a reference to a memorable haircut), and even “My little Spencer” or “Good King Harry,” both titles affectionately bestowed by Princess Diana. She often believed he might be better suited for the throne than William.
Meghan Markle also has an array of names. To Harry, she’s simply “M” or “Meg.” Her mother, Doria Ragland, still refers to her as “Flower.” However, some nicknames have not always been flattering. Reportedly, King Charles labeled her “Tungsten” for her resilience, and Prince Philip allegedly likened her to Wallis Simpson, calling her the “Duchess of Windsor.”
Even Queen Elizabeth II had her share of endearing nicknames. Family members affectionately called her “Lilibet” throughout her life, a name she later passed down to Harry and Meghan’s daughter, Lilibet Diana. Prince Philip referred to his beloved wife as “Cabbage,” while the younger royals casually called her “Gan-Gan” or “Granny.”
What do you think? Which Royal nickname surprised you the most? Join the conversation in the comments below.
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