In a revealing new book by royal biographer Ingrid Seward, it's disclosed that Prince Philip had a particularly cutting nickname for Meghan Markle, likening her to a figure from the royal family's past.
This nickname hints at a complex view of Meghan within the royal household.
Philip, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 99, is said to have referred to Markle as the "Duchess of Windsor".
This nickname carries with it significant historical weight, drawing parallels to Wallis Simpson, an American socialite whose marriage to Edward VIII led to his abdication from the British throne in a whirlwind of scandal in 1937.
Simpson, like Markle, was an American divorcée, which made her marriage to Edward VIII controversial at the time.
Seward's forthcoming book, "My Mother And I," reveals that Philip found the similarities between Markle and Simpson to be "uncanny".
He saw beyond their superficial traits, noting that the comparison wasn't just about their physical appearance or marital status but perhaps more about the impact of their marriages on the royal family.
Prior to her royal marriage, Meghan Markle had indeed been married to film producer Trevor Engelson.
Their marriage lasted from 2011 until their divorce in 2014, mirroring in a way the earlier life of Simpson before she entered the royal narrative by marrying Edward VIII.
In contrast to Philip's stark nickname, Queen Elizabeth initially had a more favorable view of Markle, according to Seward.
The Queen "approved" of Meghan after Prince Harry introduced her in 2017, signaling a welcoming attitude towards the new addition to the royal family.
However, even the Queen had her reservations, notably regarding the wedding attire.
She thought the wedding dress Meghan wore for her 2018 nuptials was "too white" for someone who had been married previously, reflecting traditional views on wedding dress codes.
In January 2020, Meghan and Harry announced their decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the royal family, a move that led them to relocate to Montecito, California.
This decision echoes the earlier departure of Edward VIII, who chose love over duty, abdicating the throne to marry Simpson and moving to France.
Royal commentator Hugo Vickers observed in 2022 that Prince Harry shares more in common with Edward VIII than one might think.
Speaking at the Henley Literary Festival, Vickers highlighted the similar aura of melancholy both men seemed to exhibit after distancing themselves from the royal family.
Vickers elaborated on this point, suggesting that the eyes of both Harry and Edward conveyed a deep-seated sadness, a testament to the emotional toll of their decisions to prioritize personal happiness over royal duties.
Vickers also noted that Edward's pursuit of happiness through marriage did not ultimately fulfill him, as he believed that duty and service are the true paths to contentment.
Reflecting on Harry's current situation, Vickers expressed concern, observing, "I think he looks thoroughly miserable," and pondered on the future well-being of the Duke of Sussex.