Meghan and Harry have sparked yet another controversy—this time with a simple Instagram post
Babe. Honey. Sweetheart. Most couples choose intimate names to refer to each other in private, and the royals are no exception. Queen Elizabeth II was famously called “Lilibet” and “Cabbage” by her husband behind closed doors, while Prince William’s now-wife Kate came up with a very flirty nickname for him during their college days.
Well, now we’re learning about another royal moniker, and this time, it’s Meghan’s nickname for her hubby, Prince Harry. The revelation came via a recent Instagram post, and as with everything else concerning the couple, people are divided—and some are really hating on her choice.
So what is the controversial nickname, and is it really that bad? Read on and judge for yourself!
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What nickname did the Instagram post reveal?
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Meghan referred to Harry as “Papa Sussex” in her much-talked-about Instagram post, which she shared on March 8 for International Women’s Day. The actress turned duchess posted a cute snap showing herself and her 4-year-old daughter, Lilibet, cuddling by the sea, with the caption: “For the woman she will one day be… Happy International Women’s Day.”
Where does Papa Sussex fit into all this? He is credited as the photographer.
What’s the issue with the nickname?
Oh, where should we start? Detractors have a whole bunch of things to say about it. It’s “cringe.” It’s “pretentious.” It’s “weird.” It’s impersonal and “grandfatherly,” and “Papa Sussex sounds like Papa Smurf.” It kind of does sound like Papa Smurf … but we’re getting distracted—where were we? Oh, yes, it’s “performative,” Meghan is “obsessed with her title,” and this is “a little reminder for everyone that she is [a] SUSSEX.” Others wondered if the pair were even still allowed to use the name. We could go on, but we’re exhausted. You get the idea.
That being said, there are also plenty of fans who quickly came to Harry’s and Meghan’s defense. After all, they note, Archie and Lilibet actually call their father “papa,” something Meghan has mentioned before. And Sussex is, well, just the surname the whole family goes by.
Hold on—what is their actual last name?
Technically, all members of the royal family share Mountbatten-Windsor as their surname, but Harry and Meghan have never actually used that name. Interestingly, before 1917, members of the royal family didn’t even have an official surname—they simply referred to the house to which they belonged (e.g., Wales or Sussex). Now, they can choose between Mountbatten-Windsor or the house (as in House of Sussex), or use neither.
The prince called himself Harry Wales during his time in the army (his dad, Charles, was the Prince of Wales back then). And ever since leaving royal life behind, both Harry and his wife—who had changed her surname from Markle to Mountbatten-Windsor when they got married in 2018—have publicly gone by Sussex. Archie and Lilibet technically also have the last name Mountbatten-Windsor but, like their parents, are better known as Archie and Lilibet Sussex. While Harry and Meghan were stripped of their styles “His/Her Royal Highness” following the split with Harry’s family, they’re still the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, so it’s perfectly fine for them to keep using that name.
Does Meghan have any other nicknames for Harry?
Yes. Talking about the early days of their relationship in Tom Bradby’s ITV documentary Harry and Meghan: An African Journey, Meghan revealed that the pair had used their initials to keep the blossoming romance secret—and over time, they simply got used to calling each other “H” and “M.”
When chatting with James Corden on The Late Late Show in February 2021, they revealed more nicknames: Harry casually addressed Meghan as Meg, while she referred to him as Haz.
How does this compare with other royal nicknames?
While most royals tend to keep their private lives, well, private, some of their terms of endearment for each other have still slipped through. Here’s what Britain’s most senior royals call each other behind closed palace doors.
- Charles and Camilla: During their long-term affair, the now-king and queen reportedly addressed each other as Fred and Gladys to keep cover. Whether they still use these names remains their secret.
- Kate and William: The Prince of Wales reportedly called his wife Babykins and DoD (short for Duchess of Do-little, a reference to the late queen’s criticism that she didn’t have a job after graduating from college). Kate, on the other hand, has cheekily referred to the future king as Big Willy and Baldy (!), teasing his thinning crown.
- Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie: Fergie’s daughters casually go by Trixie Belle and Euge, respectively.
- Elizabeth and Prince Philip: As noted above, the late queen’s nickname—Lilibet—is an open secret. Harry and Meghan even named their daughter after her! But her husband of 73 years cheekily called her Cabbage and Sausage in private.
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Sources:
- Debretts: “The royal surname”
- British Vogue: “Much ado about naming: The ‘Meghan Sussex’ drama, explained”
- Hello!: “Meghan Markle unlocks the secret behind Prince Harry’s nickname”
- ITVX: “Harry & Meghan: An African Journey: The causes the royal couple care deeply about”
- Reddit: “WE CALLED IT!!! Back of Lil Betty’s Head on Meghan’s Instagram”
- Reddit: “Can we talk about Papa Sussex?”
- The Sun: “Kate Middleton’s nickname for Prince William is ‘baldy’ while he calls her ‘Duchess of Dolittle’ – and here are all the other royal aliases”
- Mirror: “Kate Middleton’s naughty nickname for Prince William that she can’t use anymore”
