Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle at Wimbledon 2018.Photo:Karwai Tang/WireImage
Karwai Tang/WireImage
But sometimes, another moniker becomes so popular that it’s how the public best knows the royal. How many of these caught you thinking, “Who knew?”
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Kate Middleton is actually Catherine
Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, in January 2023.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Nickname: KateFull name at birth: Catherine Elizabeth MiddletonCurrent royal title: The Princess of Wales
The Princess of Wales was born to Michael and Carole Middleton as Catherine. Kate reportedly became a popular nickname during her college years, when she was studying art history at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland — where she first met Prince William.
02of 07Meghan Markle’s first name is RachelMeghan Markle in December 2022.Mike Coppola/GettyNickname: MeghanFull name at birth: Rachel Meghan MarkleCurrent royal title: The Duchess of SussexDid you know that Meghan is actually her middle name? But long before meeting and marrying Prince Harry, she was known as Meghan — or “Meg” to close friends. Rachel is still her legal first name, and “Rachel Meghan” appeared on her son Prince Archie’sbirth certificate.Coincidentally, Meghan’s character onSuits —on which she starred from 2011 to 2017 — is called Rachel Zane.
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Meghan Markle’s first name is Rachel
Meghan Markle in December 2022.Mike Coppola/Getty
Nickname: MeghanFull name at birth: Rachel Meghan MarkleCurrent royal title: The Duchess of Sussex
Did you know that Meghan is actually her middle name? But long before meeting and marrying Prince Harry, she was known as Meghan — or “Meg” to close friends. Rachel is still her legal first name, and “Rachel Meghan” appeared on her son Prince Archie’sbirth certificate.
Coincidentally, Meghan’s character onSuits —on which she starred from 2011 to 2017 — is called Rachel Zane.
03of 07Prince Harry is a nickname for HenryPrince Harry in June 2023.Karwai Tang/WireImageNickname: HarryFull name at birth: Henry Charles Albert DavidCurrent royal title: The Duke of SussexDespite what’s on his birth certificate, King Charles and Princess Diana’s younger son has popularly been known as Harry since he was born.During a call with a young boy named Henry in October 2022, the princetold him, “My name is Henry. Well, everyone calls me Harry. I have no idea why.”
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Prince Harry is a nickname for Henry
Prince Harry in June 2023.Karwai Tang/WireImage
Nickname: HarryFull name at birth: Henry Charles Albert DavidCurrent royal title: The Duke of Sussex
Despite what’s on his birth certificate, King Charles and Princess Diana’s younger son has popularly been known as Harry since he was born.
During a call with a young boy named Henry in October 2022, the princetold him, “My name is Henry. Well, everyone calls me Harry. I have no idea why.”
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Pippa’s full name is Philippa
Nickname: PippaFull name at birth: Philippa Charlotte MiddletonCurrent royal title: None
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Princess Lili is really Lilibet
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in April 2022.Samir Hussein/WireImage
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Nickname: LiliFull name at birth: Lilibet Diana Mountbatten-WindsorCurrent royal title: Princess Lilibet
King Charles' granddaughter is also known as Lili, which relates to one of Meghan’s nicknames. Meghan’s mom,Doria Ragland, gave her the childhood nickname “Flower.” In a blog post on her now-defunct lifestyle site, The Tig, Meghan shared her nicknames: “Meg, MM, M&M, and Flower (which my mom has called me since I was little).”
06of 07Fergie comes from Sarah Ferguson’s last nameSarah Ferguson in March 2023.Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesNickname: FergieFull name at birth: Sarah Margaret FergusonCurrent royal title: Duchess of YorkPrincess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s mother is popularly known as Fergie, a nickname taken from her last name.“Someone asked me, ‘If you were an astronaut and you could take all the pressure off you, would you leave behind Fergie and Sarah and the Duchess and your past mistakes and failings?'” the Duchess of Yorkpreviously told PEOPLE. “And I said, ‘What are you talking about? They’re all my friends.’ I made friends with past mistakes. I made friends with Fergie. She didn’t know any better. And then Sarah. That’s why we experiment. How is it that we’re meant to be knowledgeable when we don’t know? My Fergie, my Duchess, my Sarah: They’re all good people.”
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Fergie comes from Sarah Ferguson’s last name
Sarah Ferguson in March 2023.Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
Nickname: FergieFull name at birth: Sarah Margaret FergusonCurrent royal title: Duchess of York
Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s mother is popularly known as Fergie, a nickname taken from her last name.
“Someone asked me, ‘If you were an astronaut and you could take all the pressure off you, would you leave behind Fergie and Sarah and the Duchess and your past mistakes and failings?'” the Duchess of Yorkpreviously told PEOPLE. “And I said, ‘What are you talking about? They’re all my friends.’ I made friends with past mistakes. I made friends with Fergie. She didn’t know any better. And then Sarah. That’s why we experiment. How is it that we’re meant to be knowledgeable when we don’t know? My Fergie, my Duchess, my Sarah: They’re all good people.”
07of 07King George VI had a different birth name (and a nickname!)King George VI.Underwood Archives/GettyNickname: King George VI/BertieFull name at birth: Albert Frederick Arthur GeorgeQueen Elizabeth and King Charles may have kept their birth names when they acceded to the throne, but it was quite normal for monarchs to change their names. Queen Elizabeth’s father was known as Bertie throughout his life, a spin on his name Albert. But when he became sovereign, he took the name George after his father, King George V (who was born with the same first name).
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King George VI had a different birth name (and a nickname!)
King George VI.Underwood Archives/Getty
Nickname: King George VI/BertieFull name at birth: Albert Frederick Arthur George
Queen Elizabeth and King Charles may have kept their birth names when they acceded to the throne, but it was quite normal for monarchs to change their names. Queen Elizabeth’s father was known as Bertie throughout his life, a spin on his name Albert. But when he became sovereign, he took the name George after his father, King George V (who was born with the same first name).
source: people.com
