Prince Philip, the late husband of Queen Elizabeth II, had a unique nickname for Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. According to a royal expert, he referred to her as the Duchess of Windsor, drawing comparisons between Meghan and Wallis Simpson, the American divorcée who married King Edward VIII.
Wallis Simpson was a controversial figure in royal history. King Edward VIII abdicated the throne to marry her, as at that time, royals were not allowed to marry divorced individuals. This rule changed only in 2002, three years before Prince Charles married Camilla.
After their marriage, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor faced restrictions and spent years in exile. They attracted attention for their visit to Nazi Germany, where they were photographed giving a Nazi salute upon meeting Adolf Hitler.
In an interview with GB News, royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed that Prince Philip saw similarities between Meghan and Harry, and Edward and Mrs. Simpson. He was known for his astute judgment of character and reportedly called Meghan the Duchess of Windsor or DOW behind her back.
Seward also described Prince Philip as “wary” of Meghan in her book. Queen Elizabeth II, however, had “high hopes” for Meghan, pointing to different perspectives within the royal family regarding Meghan’s role.
Since stepping back from their royal duties in 2020, Meghan and Harry have maintained a low profile in the royal sphere. Meghan is expected to stay in the US, citing safety concerns and a desire to avoid controversy, while Harry will be visiting the UK for the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.
Meghan’s decision to prioritize her safety and peace amidst constant scrutiny and public interest in her relationship with the royal family is evident.
