A newly released royal biography has stirred fresh debate after revealing what is said to be a sharp nickname Prince Philip once used for Meghan Markle. The claim appears in a book exploring the late Duke of Edinburgh’s life and private opinions. Prince Philip, who died in 2021 at the age of 99, was well known for his blunt humour and unfiltered remarks, and this latest revelation has prompted strong reactions online.
Since the story surfaced, many readers have reacted with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Some described the nickname as surprisingly mild for Philip, whose reputation for outspoken comments was legendary. Others pointed out that while the term may sound subtle, its historical meaning makes it far more pointed than it appears at first glance.
The comparison Prince Philip allegedly made
According to royal biographer Ingrid Seward in her book My Mother and I, Prince Philip reportedly referred to Meghan Markle as “D.O.W.”. The initials were said to stand for “Duchess of Windsor,” a direct reference to Wallis Simpson. Simpson, an American divorcée, married King Edward VIII after he abdicated the throne in 1936, a decision that reshaped the monarchy and caused lasting resentment within the royal family.
Seward explains that Philip was not necessarily commenting on personality, but on what he viewed as striking parallels. Both women were American, both were divorced before marrying into the royal family, and both were glamorous figures who ultimately left royal life behind with their husbands. To Prince Philip, those similarities were, in his words, “uncanny.”
The comparison carries heavy historical weight. Wallis Simpson became one of the most controversial figures in royal history, blamed by many for Edward VIII’s abdication and long exile. Being likened to her is widely seen as anything but flattering within royal circles.
Wider tensions within the royal family
The book also revisits other moments of unease surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan’s place in the monarchy. One extract claims Queen Elizabeth II privately felt Meghan’s wedding dress was “too white” for a divorcée marrying in church, a reflection of the Queen’s traditional views rather than a public criticism. Meghan’s gown, elegant and minimalist with long sleeves and a bateau neckline, became iconic, yet reportedly caused quiet disapproval behind palace doors.
Royal commentators have also noted echoes between Prince Harry and Edward VIII. Historian Hugo Vickers previously suggested that both men appeared deeply unsettled after stepping away from royal duties. He remarked that each seemed to pursue personal happiness at great cost, leaving behind a visible sense of sadness.
The historical shadow of Wallis Simpson looms large over this comparison. After Edward VIII abdicated, she was denied the HRH title, a move widely attributed to the Queen Mother’s deep hostility toward her. Biographers have since described this as a deliberate humiliation that effectively kept the couple in exile.
Against that backdrop, the alleged nickname attributed to Prince Philip takes on a sharper edge. What might sound like a casual abbreviation is, in reality, a loaded reference rooted in one of the most painful chapters of royal history. Whether intended as humour or criticism, it offers another glimpse into the private attitudes that shaped royal relationships behind closed doors.
