The late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, is said to have harbored a rather unflattering nickname for Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex. According to a new book by royal biographer Ingrid Seward, titled "My Mother And I," Prince Philip likened Meghan to the infamous Wallis Simpson, dubbing her the "Duchess of Windsor."
The comparison draws a poignant parallel between Meghan and Simpson, an American socialite whose marriage to King Edward VIII led to his abdication from the British throne in 1937. Seward suggests that Prince Philip saw an "uncanny" resemblance between the two women, noting not just their physical attributes but their shared backgrounds as glamorous American divorcees who married into the royal family.
"He wasn't simply referring to the fact that both were pencil-slim, dark-haired and glamorous American divorcées," Seward elucidates in her book, pointing to a deeper resemblance that Prince Philip perceived between the two women.
Meghan, much like Simpson, was previously married before her union with Prince Harry. Her marriage to film producer Trevor Engelson, which lasted from 2011 to 2014, and her subsequent marriage to Prince Harry in 2018, mirror Simpson's path in a way that did not escape Prince Philip's notice. However, it's essential to note that while the comparison may seem superficially apt, the contexts of their marriages and their roles within the royal family are vastly different.
Queen Elizabeth loaned the wedding tiara Meghan Markle wore for her wedding to Prince Harry.
Queen Elizabeth II, on the other hand, initially appeared to have a more favorable view of Meghan, as Seward recounts. The Queen reportedly "approved" of Meghan when introduced by Prince Harry in 2017, despite having reservations about the choice of Meghan's wedding dress, considering it "too white" for someone who had been married before.
The narrative around Meghan and Harry's decision to step back as senior members of the royal family and relocate to Montecito, California, further aligns with the historical precedent set by Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson. Royal expert Hugo Vickers has drawn parallels between Prince Harry and Edward VIII, noting a shared "sadness" after distancing themselves from royal duties.
"Harry and Edward each 'radiated the same sadness after cutting their links with the royal family,'" Vickers observed, suggesting a parallel in their paths toward perceived happiness.
Vickers opined that true happiness for royals like Harry and Edward comes from a sense of duty, a sentiment that appears to be a recurring theme in the discourse surrounding the royal family's relationships and responsibilities.
“Like, what’s happening?”
As for Meghan's absence from Prince Philip's funeral, it was reported that she did not attend due to her pregnancy at the time, while Prince Harry made the journey to London. The ongoing discussions and comparisons drawn between Meghan and figures like Wallis Simpson underscore the enduring interest and speculation surrounding the personal lives and choices of the British Royal Family's members.
This evolving story, punctuated by Prince Philip's alleged nickname for Meghan, reflects the continuing fascination with the royal family's internal dynamics and the historical echoes that shape their present and future.
