Royal Family Nicknames Explained: What the Royals Are Really Called Behind Closed Doors

The British royal family may look polished and proper at official events, but behind closed doors they’re just like any other family—complete with silly, sweet, and sometimes brutal nicknames. From King Charles and Queen Camilla to Prince William, Princess Kate, and even Meghan Markle, the nicknames floating around the palace give us a rare peek into their more down-to-earth side.

King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Nicknames

King Charles may be “His Majesty” to the rest of the world, but to those closest to him, he’s got a whole roster of nicknames. According to Royal Insider, Charles and Camilla used to call each other “Fred and Gladys,” a playful nod to characters from “The Goon Show”—a British comideic radio show—long before they married.

His grandchildren—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—know him simply as “Grandpa Wales,” while Camilla’s grandchildren prefer the sweet “Uppa.” Within the family, Princess Anne once let slip that she calls her brother “old bean,” a moment revealed in the documentary “Charles III: A Coronation Year.” Both William and Harry stick to “Pa,” while Kate Middleton has been overheard affectionately calling him “Grandpa.”

Camilla herself has collected her fair share of nicknames too. Beyond “Gladys,” she was once jokingly called “Lorraine,” a playful twist on the French word la reine—which means “the queen.” Staff at Clarence House reportedly dubbed her “the lady boss,” while her grandchildren simply call her “Gaga.” As her former daughter-in-law, Sara Parker Bowles, told The Times in 2023: “She’s just Gaga to them, and that’s how they see her.”

William, Kate, and More of the Royal Family’s Nicknames

Prince William and Princess Kate might look picture-perfect in public, but like any couple, they’ve got their share of funny nicknames for each other. Reports claim Kate has called William “Big Willy” and, more cheekily, “Baldy.” William, on the other hand, once used the much softer “Babykins” in the early days of their relationship.

It doesn’t stop there. Prince Harry revealed in his memoir Spare that he’s always called William “Willy,” while their late mother Princess Diana used to call her oldest son “Wombat.” Even cousin-in-law Mike Tindall couldn’t resist chiming in on The Rob Burrow podcast last year, joking that William is “One Pint Willy” because, in his words, “he is not the best of drinkers.” William later admitted, laughing: “When you say you’re not going to mention anyone’s nicknames, that doesn’t mean you can then mention mine. That’s not fair.”

Kate has her own set of nicknames. She was called “Squeak” as a child thanks to her school’s guinea pigs, Pip and Squeak, and Prince Harry has referred to her as “Cath.” Their kids have equally adorable monikers: George is known as “PG,” which his school friends turned into “PG Tips” (fitting for a future king of Britain). Charlotte is “Lottie” at home, while Louis answers to “Lou Bugs” or “Lou Lou.”

Harry, Meghan, and the Other Royals’ Nicknames

Prince Harry might take the crown for the most nicknames. Over the years, he’s been called everything from “Harold” (William’s choice) to “Spike” (after a haircut where his hair stuck straight up). His late mother, Princess Diana, often called him “My little Spencer” and “Good King Harry,” believing he might actually be better suited for the throne than William.

Meghan Markle has her own mix of names. To Harry, she’s “M” or “Meg.” To her mom, Doria Ragland, she’s still “Flower.” But not every nickname has been kind. King Charles reportedly called her “Tungsten” for her toughness, while Prince Philip allegedly compared her to Wallis Simpson by calling her the “Duchess of Windsor.”

Even Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t spared. Her family famously called her “Lilibet” from childhood, a nickname she later passed down to Harry and Meghan’s daughter.

Prince Philip called his wife “Cabbage,” while the younger royals simply called her “Gan-Gan” or “Granny.”

Tell us! Which Royal nickname is the most surprising? Let us know in the comments below.