Monarchy Monikers
Jun. 16 2021, Published 1:14 p.m. ET
Opinion is divided as to whether Harry and Meghan should have named their daughter, Lilibet, after the Queen.
Was it a generous tribute to a much-loved grandmother or a cynical PR stunt — you will have your own views!
But there’s a fascinating history of royal nicknames.
The young Elizabeth became Lilibet because she couldn't pronounce her own name, and after her grandfather, George V, used it all the time, it became a pet family moniker.
In recent years, Prince Philip was the only person who called her Lilibet, but he also referred to his wife as “sausage” and “cabbage.”
For years, the British press dubbed the Duke “Phil the Greek,” and staff called him “Stavros” behind his back because he was born on the island of Corfu.
After discovering that Prince Charles and his then mistress, Camilla Parker Bowles, called themselves “Fred and Gladys,” Princess Diana decided Camilla was “The Rottweiler.”
Diana herself was always known as “Duch” because as a child, her family was convinced she would marry Prince Andrew and become Duchess of York.
Charles is also known as “Big Ears,” Prince Andrew was “Randy Andy,” but then the “Duke of Pork” because of his penchant for fattening puddings, and Prince Edward as “Steady Eddy.”
Andrew’s ex-wife, Fergie, is also known as “The Redhead” for obvious reasons.
Meghan, who was always called “Flower” by her mom, Doria Ragland, and “Bean” by her dad, Thomas Markle, calls Harry “Haz” or just “H.”
Harry was also “Spike” to his friends because of a spiky hair-style at the time and used the name “Spike Wells” for a secret Facebook account, and occasionally “Potter” as in Harry Potter.
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, has told how she was known at school as “Squeak” because her sister’s name is Pippa, so they were jointly named “PipSqueak.”
At University, William called himself “Steve,” as he tried to blend in with fellow pupils.
And William and Kate have said they dubbed first child George “our little grape.”
At school, George is known as Tips after a brand of teabags called PG Tips, the PG obviously as initials for Prince George.
He and siblings Charlotte and Louis call the Queen “Gan-Gan” — which is probably easier to say than Lilibet, and is where we came in!
