Like many families, the royals have their fair share of nicknames — both affectionate and amusing — used behind palace walls.
From King Charles to the youngest generation, each royal seems to have collected a few personal monikers, whether from family, friends, staff, or the press.
King Charles’ Many Names
King Charles has accumulated several nicknames over the years. Before their marriage, he and Queen Camilla affectionately called each other “Fred and Gladys,” a nod to characters from The Goon Show.
Among his grandchildren, Charles is known as “Grandpa Wales,” while Camilla’s grandkids call him “Uppa.” His sons, William and Harry, call him “Pa,” and Princess Anne has reportedly referred to him as “old bean,” according to Charles III: A Coronation Year. Kate Middleton is also said to call him “Grandpa.”
Queen Camilla’s Titles
Camilla, too, has been given a few nicknames over time. Family reportedly called her “Lorraine” before she became queen, as a playful twist on the French word la reine (meaning “the queen”). Staff at Clarence House have dubbed her “the lady boss,” and her grandchildren sweetly call her “Gaga.” Her former daughter-in-law, Sara Parker Bowles, shared that detail in an interview with The Times in 2023.
William and Kate’s Couple Nicknames
The Prince and Princess of Wales are no strangers to playful teasing. Kate has reportedly called William “Big Willy” and “Baldy,” while William used to call her “Babykins” during their early romance. His brother Harry referred to him as “Willy” in his memoir Spare, while their late mother, Princess Diana, called William “Wombat” when he was a child.
Mike Tindall, who is married to Zara Tindall, has jokingly nicknamed William “One Pint Willy” — referencing the prince’s low alcohol tolerance. William laughed about it on a podcast, recalling: “I said, ‘Mike, when you say you’re not going to mention anyone’s nicknames, that doesn’t mean you can then mention mine.’”
Kate herself was called “Squeak” in school — a reference to her classroom guinea pigs, Pip and Squeak. “My sister was Pip and I was Squeak,” she once shared.
The Wales Children: George, Charlotte and Louis
Prince George’s friends at school have reportedly nicknamed him “PG,” with some extending it to “PG Tips,” a humorous nod to the famous tea brand. A source told the Mirror that George actually liked the nickname.
Princess Charlotte is called “Lottie” by her parents, while Prince Louis has been affectionately called “Lou Bugs” and “Lou Lou” by Kate, as overheard during public outings.
Prince Harry and His Many Nicknames
Prince Harry’s full name is Henry, but his brother William has been known to call him “Harold.” Their late mother, Princess Diana, used the names “My little Spencer” and “Good King Harry” for her youngest son. Royal commentator Charles Rae claimed Diana believed Harry would have made a better king than William.
In Spare, Harry revealed that his friends once gave him the nickname “Spike,” after a hair-shaving mishap. Other nicknames over the years have included “Haz,” “Baz,” “Prince Jackaroo,” “Darling Boy,” and “Scrawny,” the latter reportedly used by palace staff.
His children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, call him “Papa,” while Meghan often calls him “Haz” or simply “H,” a code name from their early dating days.
Meghan Markle’s Personal Monikers
Meghan Markle also has a handful of nicknames. She and Harry often refer to each other as “H” and “M,” while friends and family call her “Meg.” Her mother, Doria Ragland, has called her “Flower” since childhood.
Prince Philip reportedly gave Meghan a rather pointed nickname — “Duchess of Windsor” — a possible nod to Wallis Simpson. Meanwhile, King Charles is said to have called her “Tungsten,” referencing her strength and resilience, according to royal author Katie Nicholl.
Their children also have sweet nicknames. Meghan has called her son “Arch,” and both parents refer to their daughter as “Lili.” Interestingly, Meghan herself goes by her middle name; she was born Rachel Meghan Markle but has never publicly explained the change.
Other Royals and Their Nicknames
Queen Elizabeth II was famously known as “Lilibet,” a childhood nickname that stuck due to her early mispronunciation of her own name. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren referred to her as “Gan-Gan,” and to others, she was simply “Granny.” Prince Philip affectionately called her “Cabbage.”
Philip himself was known as “P.P.” among close friends, family, and palace staff.
As for the York sisters, Princess Eugenie often refers to her sister as “BeaBea,” while Eugenie is called “Euge” by family and friends.