According to a royal expert, the late Prince Philip had a rather pointed nickname for the Duchess of Sussex — one that hinted at his skepticism toward her and drew an unflattering comparison to one of history’s most controversial royal figures.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward revealed that Prince Philip privately referred to Meghan as the “Duchess of Windsor”, a nod to Wallis Simpson, the American divorcée whose relationship with King Edward VIII led to his abdication of the throne in 1936.

The Shadow of Wallis Simpson

Wallis Simpson, who became the Duchess of Windsor after marrying the former king, remains one of the most infamous women in royal history. Her marriage to Edward VIII — who gave up the crown “for the woman I love” — scandalized Britain and reshaped the monarchy.

At the time, royals were forbidden to marry someone who had been divorced, a rule that wasn’t relaxed until 2002, just a few years before the then–Prince Charles wed Camilla Parker Bowles.

After the abdication, Edward and Wallis lived largely in exile, banned from returning to Britain without the king’s permission. Their lives continued to generate headlines, particularly after their controversial 1937 visit to Nazi Germany, where they met Adolf Hitler and were photographed giving the Nazi salute.

Why Prince Philip Drew the Comparison

Speaking on GB News, Seward explained that Philip saw clear parallels between the Sussexes and the Windsors.