Does Prince Phillip’s nickname for Meghan Markle prove he hated her?
Prince Philip’s reported private nickname for Meghan Markle has resurfaced in recent biographical coverage, prompting fresh discussion about his view of the Duchess of Sussex. The label DoW, shorthand for Duchess of Windsor, drew an immediate comparison to Wallis Simpson. The question of whether it revealed outright dislike remains open, yet the story continues to circulate without confirmation from the palace.
A loaded historical parallel
Prince Philip’s reported use of DoW for Meghan Markle drew a direct line to Wallis Simpson, the American divorcée whose relationship with Edward VIII prompted his abdication. The parallel surfaced most clearly in Ingrid Seward’s book My Mother and I, which attributes the nickname to Philip’s private observations rather than any public statement. Seward’s account positions the reference as a shorthand for concerns about outsiders entering the family and altering its traditions. The comparison stayed within palace circles and was never conveyed directly to Meghan. Queen Elizabeth II offered public support for the Sussex marriage, leaving Philip’s reported reservations as a private matter.
Unpacking Prince Philip's caution
Accounts differ on whether Philip offered explicit advice to the Queen or simply noted the resemblance in private. The core detail centers on the nickname itself and the perceived similarity to Wallis Simpson. Reports describe Philip viewing Meghan as an American who brought different expectations into royal life. The nickname reflected that observation rather than a documented conversation with the monarch. No palace statement has confirmed or denied the claim, keeping the story within the realm of biographical reporting.
Digging into the unease
The nickname DoW captured Philip’s broader wariness about the pace of change inside the institution. Seward’s reporting places the comment within a longer pattern of private remarks about duty and tradition. The label remained unspoken in Meghan’s presence, yet it echoed earlier anxieties about how an outsider might affect the family’s public role. Coverage from 2024 onward has kept the anecdote alive without introducing new primary evidence.
A deeper royal rift
Philip’s reported concerns aligned with wider tensions about how Harry and Meghan would fit into existing structures. The nickname suggested he saw potential friction rather than outright hostility. Those close to the family have described his comments as protective rather than personal attacks. The story has been revisited in later royal commentary, though the palace has offered no official response.
Biographical sources behind the claim
Ingrid Seward presented the DoW nickname in My Mother and I, drawing on her long access to royal circles. Other writers, including Hugo Vickers, have noted Philip’s occasional private references to Meghan without repeating the same shorthand. These attributions appear in book-length accounts rather than anonymous leaks, giving the anecdote a specific lineage in recent coverage. The claim has not been corroborated by any member of the royal family.
Public and media response over time
The nickname story gained renewed attention with the 2024 publication cycle around Seward’s book. Outlets revisited the parallel to Wallis Simpson and placed it within ongoing coverage of the Sussexes’ departure from working royal roles. Similar pieces appeared in 2025 and 2026, often linking the anecdote to broader discussions of Philip’s protective stance toward the monarchy. No fresh documentation has emerged to alter the original biographical account.
Harry and Meghan's tributes following Philip's death
Prince Philip died on April 9, 2021. Harry attended the funeral while Meghan remained in California because of her pregnancy. The couple released a statement through Archewell describing Philip’s sense of service and his place in family life. Their public remarks at the time focused on respect rather than any private exchanges reported later in biographical works.
Alternative nicknames attributed to Philip
Some accounts mention Philip referring to Meghan simply as the American in addition to the DoW label. Hugo Vickers has noted this shorter reference in his own writing. The DoW nickname remains the one most frequently tied to the Wallis Simpson comparison in published coverage. Both labels stayed within private conversation according to the reporting.
The reported nickname does not establish hatred. It reflects one biographer’s account of Philip’s private comparison and the historical parallel he apparently drew. Without confirmation from the royal family, the story stays within the bounds of published observation rather than verified fact. The couple’s public statements after Philip’s death and the continued recirculation of the anecdote in later years have kept the discussion alive while leaving its central claim unverified.
