- Prince Philip's nickname for Meghan
- Royal family's initial reactions
- Prince Philip's wedding appearance
Prince Philip, known for his candid remarks, had a straightforward nickname for Meghan Markle when she first joined the royal family. According to biographer Hugo Vickers, in his book 'Queen Elizabeth II: A Personal History,' the late Duke of Edinburgh referred to Meghan as "the American" during the 2017 Christmas party at Windsor Castle. This event marked Meghan's introduction to the Queen and Prince Philip after she began dating Prince Harry. While the staff affectionately called her "Sparkle," Philip's nickname highlighted his initial skepticism.
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Royal family's initial reactions
The royal family's reaction to Meghan and Harry's relationship was mixed. Prince Charles reportedly took a cautious approach, echoing a sentiment from the Mountbatten family: "have fun with her, but don’t marry her." The Queen, on the other hand, suggested that Harry should wait a year before making any commitments. Additionally, royal biographer Ingrid Seward claimed that Prince Philip drew a parallel between Meghan and Wallis Simpson, dubbing her "DOW" due to their perceived similarities.
Prince Philip's wedding appearance
Despite retiring from royal duties in 2017, Prince Philip made a rare public appearance at Harry and Meghan's wedding on May 18, 2018. Hugo Vickers describes how it was uncertain whether Philip would attend, but he ultimately decided to join the Queen at St George's Chapel. This gesture underscored his support for the couple, despite earlier reservations. Meghan later shared a memorable moment from her first Christmas with the royal family, sitting next to Philip at dinner, although she humorously discovered she had been speaking into his "bad ear."
