The British Royal Family has a long list of nicknames - from adorable to weird, and Prince William and his wife Kate are no exception.
The British Royal Family is renowned for its peculiar and endearing nicknames, and it appears that Kate Middleton and Prince William are no exception to this tradition. The couple, who recently enjoyed a romantic dating after weeks of busy royal engagements, has been spotted using nicknames on several occasions.
The use of pet names among the royals might seem unusual, but it serves a purpose beyond amusement. It helps the family navigate their complex lives and adds a layer of affection to their relationships. After all, from 'Babes' to 'Honeybun,' 'Darling,' and 'Stud muffin,' many of us have our own special names for our loved ones.
Prince William has many cute nicknames
According to The Sun, the future queen, Kate Middleton, had an amusing nickname for her husband, Prince William, when they first started dating during their time at St. Andrew's University in Scotland. She referred to him as 'Big Willy,' a moniker that might elicit both cringes and laughter.
A source told The Sun:
'The royals are not very good at communicating with one another so this is one way around it. Nicknames are a way of taking the family tension out of things. They can also be a rather childlike family. They love to play games and they give each other silly presents. I think it’s because they have to be so earnest in their public lives.'
But Kate has since updated her euphemistic nickname for her husband to 'Baldy,' as revealed by a source. The source explained that this change was spurred by William's envy of Kate's famous long locks, with his complaints about her endless mane of hair prompting the sharp retort of 'Baldy.' In return, Prince William has his own set of nicknames for Kate, one of which is 'DoD,' short for 'Duchess of Dolittle.'
A long-standing tradition
These nicknames may not be what you'd expect from the future King and Queen of England, but they reflect the modern and playful nature of their royal romance. These quirky pet names are not unusual within the royal family, as they have a long-standing tradition of using unique nicknames to refer to each other. For instance, Queen Elizabeth was affectionately called 'Cabbage' by her husband, Prince Philip, while her great-grandson Prince George calls her 'Gan-Gan.'
According to ABC News, King Charles, upon meeting Meghan Markle, gave her the nickname 'Tungsten.' This may seem odd at first, but it's likely a nod to tungsten, an exceptionally strong refractory metal, mirroring Meghan's resilience and strong personality. This is a stark contrast to Meghan's childhood nickname, Flower - which is definitely a much more artistic and adorable name.
Tom Quinn's 2023 book, Gilded Youth: A History of Growing Up in the Royal Family: From the Tudors to the Cambridges, delves into the history of Kate and William's relationship, shedding light on lesser-known but more common nicknames such as 'babykins' and 'darling.'
The affectionate nicknames between Kate and William became the subject of public amusement, with one notable incident during the Cambridge's 2011 wedding when Prince Harry humorously impersonated Kate calling William 'Big Willy.'
While the royal family may exude formality during their public appearances, their use of nicknames behind closed doors reflects their playful and human side. These nicknames not only lighten the family atmosphere but also serve as a discreet way to identify one another while maintaining their privacy.
Even the royal children have not been exempt from the tradition of affectionate nicknames. Princess Charlotte is affectionately referred to as 'Lottie,' while Prince George goes by 'PG Tips,' a moniker he adopted from his schoolmates.
Read more:
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