Meghan Markle Reveals the Secret 'Code Names' She and Harry Used to Keep Their Romance Hidden

Meghan Markle recently opened up about the early days of her relationship with Prince Harry, revealing that they had secret 'code names' for each other. During an interview with Jamie Kern Lima on April 28, the Duchess of Sussex shared how it helped maintain a level of privacy. She also revealed that she and Harry still use the secret nicknames.

As reported by The Mirror, on The Jamie Kern Lima Show, the host asked, “Your close friends and family, so many of them call you 'M' and Harry 'H'. How did that start? And tell me about that.” The Duchess shared, “Probably at the beginning of us dating, when everything was in code. People didn’t know we were dating, talk about memory lane, so long ago. I mean, it will be our seven-year wedding anniversary soon. I couldn’t tell anyone who I was dating, and who was keeping [the secret], so I think we were just on a letter basis,” as reported by People magazine.

This practice of using each other's initials turned into a sweet and lasting habit. The couple now uses them even while in conversation with friends or when enjoying time with their children. Lima added, “There will be tons of people there, and he will say 'M,' and you will say 'H,' and our friends say 'M.’ It just is a thing.” Markle confessed, "I like it. I love nicknames.”

In the past, Markle has shared that she has Harry's number saved in her phone as 'Prince Haz,' the name used by the friend who first introduced them. During his 2021 appearance on The Late Late Show, Harry has, however, made it clear that only his wife is allowed to use the name. In fact, Harry's very name is a nickname in itself. Born as Henry Charles Albert David in 1984, the Duke of Sussex’s real name is 'Henry', although his brother Prince William calls him 'Harold'. Markle's real name is also Rachel Meghan Markle. Although her first name is Rachel, she goes by her middle name, as it is believed to better rhyme with 'Markle'.

Markle and Harry first met on a blind date in early 2016 and went public with their relationship in October of that year. Harry once described their relationship as having gone from '0 to 60' very soon. As reported by People magazine, he fondly spoke of his better half and said, "I fell in love with Meghan so incredibly quickly — it was a confirmation to me that all the stars were aligned. This beautiful woman literally tripped and fell into my life."