According to a royal expert, the late Prince Philip had a rather pointed nickname for the Duchess of Sussex, and it wasn’t very flattering. The nickname drew a parallel between Meghan Markle and Wallis Simpson, the controversial American divorcée who married the former King Edward VIII.
The Wallis Simpson Connection
Wallis Simpson became the Duchess of Windsor after marrying King Edward VIII, causing him to abdicate the throne. At that time, marrying a divorced person was forbidden for members of the royal family. Although this rule was not changed until 2002, Prince Charles married Camilla only three years before.
After their marriage, King Edward and Wallis Simpson lived in exile and were not allowed to return home without permission. There were concerns that their presence could lead to public unrest. The Duke and Duchess of Windsor often made headlines during their years of exile, including their controversial visit to Nazi Germany, where they were photographed giving a Nazi salute upon meeting Adolf Hitler.
Prince Philip’s Perspective
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed that Prince Philip saw many similarities between Meghan Markle and Wallis Simpson. Known for his astute judgment of character, Prince Philip couldn’t overlook the resemblances between Meghan and Prince Harry and Edward and Mrs. Simpson.
According to Seward, Prince Philip nicknamed Meghan the Duchess of Windsor, but he never used it to her face. He referred to her as DOW in private. Seward described Prince Philip as someone who tried to see the good in people, but in this case, he couldn’t help but notice the similarities between the two couples.
Differing Perspectives within the Royal Family
In her book My Mother and I, Seward further delves into Prince Philip’s reservations about Meghan. He was “wary” of the former Suits actress and the potential impact she could have on the royal family. However, Queen Elizabeth II held “high hopes” for Meghan, indicating differing perspectives within the royal family regarding Meghan’s role and influence.
Since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020 and relocating to California, Meghan and Harry have maintained a relatively low profile within the royal sphere. While Harry is set to visit the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, Meghan will remain in the US due to safety concerns and a desire to avoid controversy.
