A newly resurfaced claim about Prince Philip has drawn fresh attention to Meghan Markle and her relationship with the royal family. A recent book on the late Duke of Edinburgh, who died in 2021 at age 99, alleges that he had a private nickname for the Duchess of Sussex. The detail stirred quick reactions online, with many noting that Philip was known for blunt remarks and that this comment was mild compared with others he made over the years.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have remained two of the most debated members of the royal family since stepping down from their roles in 2020. They now live in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet. The book My Mother and I by royal biographer Ingrid Seward explores Queen Elizabeth II’s reported views on the couple and their departure. One passage claims the Queen believed Markle’s wedding dress appeared “too white” for a divorcée, despite its classic and modest design.

The most striking allegation, however, concerns Prince Philip’s comparison of Meghan to Wallis Simpson, the American divorcée who married Edward VIII. The book states he referred to Meghan as “D.o.W.,” a reference to the Duchess of Windsor. According to Seward, he saw similarities in their backgrounds and public impact, noting that both were American, glamorous, and previously married.

Wallis Simpson remains a controversial figure, remembered for her role in Edward VIII’s abdication and their life in exile. Historians have also compared Edward’s emotional struggles with those of Prince Harry, suggesting both faced deep personal conflict after leaving royal duties.