According to a royal expert, the late Prince Philip had a rather harsh nickname for the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. The nickname drew a comparison between Meghan and Wallis Simpson, the controversial wife of the former King Edward VIII. Both women were American and divorced when they married into the royal family.

Wallis Simpson and King Edward VIII

Wallis Simpson, an American divorcée who became the Duchess of Windsor, remains one of the most controversial figures in royal history. King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in December 1936, after less than a year as king, to marry her. At that time, royals were not allowed to marry divorced people – a rule that didn’t change until 2002.

After their marriage, King Edward and Wallis Simpson were not allowed to return to England without permission from Edward’s brother, the new King George VI. This exile was due to fears that their presence could cause public unrest. During their years in exile, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor were frequently in the headlines, most notably for their 1937 visit to Nazi Germany, where they were photographed giving the Nazi salute upon meeting Adolf Hitler.

Prince Philip’s Unkind Nickname

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed that Prince Philip saw many similarities between Meghan Markle and Wallis Simpson, leading him to adopt a discreet nickname for Meghan. According to Seward, Prince Philip, known for his sharp judgment of character, couldn’t ignore the resemblances between Meghan and Harry, and Edward and Wallis Simpson.

“I think that Prince Philip was very canny about people and he didn’t always see bad in people; he often tried to see the good in them,” Seward said. “He just could not get away from 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.”

In her book ‘My Mother and I,’ Seward described Prince Philip as “wary” of Meghan and her potential impact on the royal family. While he viewed Meghan as potentially disruptive, Queen Elizabeth II had “high hopes” for her, highlighting the differing opinions within the royal family regarding Meghan’s role and influence.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Departure from Royal Life

Since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020 and moving to California, Meghan and Harry have kept a relatively low profile within the royal sphere. Prince Harry is set to visit the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games, with a service at St. Paul’s Cathedral on May 8. Meghan is expected to stay in the US, citing safety concerns and a desire to avoid controversy.

Despite occasional returns to the UK for significant events, such as Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022, Meghan has chosen not to attend others, like King Charles III’s coronation, which Harry attended alone last year. It’s clear Meghan is prioritizing her safety and peace amidst constant scrutiny and public interest in her relationship with the royal family.

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