A shocking revelation has come to light regarding the late Prince Philip and his reportedly unflattering nickname for Meghan Markle.
The Duke of Edinburgh, known for his sharp wit and blunt remarks, allegedly had a rather pointed moniker for his grandson Prince Harry’s wife, drawing comparisons between her and one of the most controversial figures in royal history.
A Bombshell from a New Royal Biography
Prince Philip, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 99, was a central figure in the British monarchy for decades, respected for his unwavering devotion to Queen Elizabeth II but also infamous for his no-nonsense approach and candid—sometimes tactless—humor.
Now, a new book titled My Mother and I, written by royal biographer Ingrid Seward, has uncovered details that further illustrate his unfiltered way of speaking. The biography makes several startling claims about the royal family, particularly focusing on Queen Elizabeth II’s alleged opinions on Harry and Meghan’s departure from royal duties.
According to the book, Queen Elizabeth reportedly found Meghan’s wedding dress to be “too white” for a divorcée, suggesting that its traditional symbolism of purity was inappropriate given her past marriage to film producer Trevor Engelson.
However, the most eyebrow-raising revelation from the book is Prince Philip’s supposed nickname for Meghan Markle—one that draws an unmistakable comparison between her and Wallis Simpson, the American divorcée who changed the course of British history.
The ‘Duchess of Windsor’ Parallel
Prince Philip allegedly referred to Meghan Markle as D.o.W., a reference to the Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson.
For those unfamiliar with royal history, Wallis Simpson was the twice-divorced American woman whose relationship with King Edward VIII led to his shocking abdication of the British throne in 1936. Their marriage scandalized the nation, and Simpson was vilified by many, particularly within the royal family.
According to Ingrid Seward, Prince Philip’s use of this nickname was not necessarily meant to be outright cruel but was a reflection of what he saw as undeniable similarities between Meghan and Wallis.
“He was simply referring to the fact that both were pencil-slim, dark-haired, and glamorous American divorcées,” Seward explained.
But the resemblance didn’t end with their appearances. Both women, as history would have it, also became the catalysts for their husbands’ departures from royal life.
History Repeats Itself
Meghan Markle was married to Trevor Engelson from 2011 to 2014 before she met and fell in love with Prince Harry. The couple wed in 2018, and just two years later, they made the unprecedented decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family, a move that sent shockwaves through the monarchy.
Following their departure, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to California with their two children, Archie and Lilibet, opting for a life away from the rigid expectations of royal protocol.
This path eerily mirrors the story of Wallis Simpson and Edward VIII, who abandoned royal life and moved to France after the king relinquished the throne to be with her.
Royal Experts Weigh In
Hugo Vickers, a well-known royal historian, has previously noted the striking resemblance between Prince Harry and Edward VIII, both of whom chose love over duty and faced significant consequences for their decisions.
“Prince Harry and Edward each radiated the same sadness after cutting their links with the royal family,” Vickers remarked. “Both took the path of perceived happiness when they married, but whether it was truly fulfilling is another question.”
Vickers further speculated that Prince Harry, much like Edward, might not have anticipated the full weight of his decision. “As for the Duke of Sussex, who knows what’s going to happen to him? I think he looks thoroughly miserable,” he added.
A Loaded Comparison
The nickname Duchess of Windsor carries heavy historical baggage. Wallis Simpson remains one of the most infamous figures in royal history, having been blamed for tearing Edward VIII away from his throne and causing long-standing tensions within the royal family.
Her relationship with the Queen Mother was particularly strained, as she was never granted the title of Her Royal Highness (HRH), a snub that left a lasting sting. Historian Anna Sebba once explained that this decision was a deliberate move by the royal family to ensure Simpson would never be given the same level of respect as other royals.
“The significance of not making Wallis HRH was that nobody would curtsey to her if they came back to England,” Sebba explained. “This was a real snub, a real humiliation on multiple levels.”
Edward VIII, deeply in love with Simpson, fought against this decision, arguing, “I can’t possibly bring my wonderful wife back to England to be humiliated if people aren’t going to curtsey to her.”
This royal exile bears uncanny similarities to Harry and Meghan’s estrangement from the monarchy.
The Lasting Impact
While some royal watchers believe Prince Philip’s D.o.W. nickname was just another example of his notorious sharp tongue, others see it as a calculated comparison designed to send a message—one that Meghan Markle, much like Wallis Simpson, may never be fully accepted back into the royal fold.
The revelation from Seward’s book adds yet another layer to the ongoing royal drama surrounding Harry and Meghan’s departure, serving as a reminder that history, particularly within the monarchy, has a way of repeating itself.
Whether the nickname was intended as an insult or simply an observation, it undeniably underscores the complicated relationship between the royal family and the women who choose a different path.