Royals’ Personal Nicknames Revealed

The royal family is known for its traditions and formalities. Still, information from a former royal staff member suggests informal moments behind closed doors. Jack Stooks, who served as a gardener for King Charles at Highgrove, shared insights into how royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton communicated using WhatsApp.

According to Stooks, both Prince William and Prince Harry were tech-savvy, always having the latest phones. They provided their numbers to staff for logistical communication. This communication wasn’t under their real names. They used nicknames, ensuring security if a phone was misplaced. Stooks recalls Prince William saved as ‘Bobcat’ and Prince Harry as ‘Baz,’ names familiar among their friends.

Stooks revealed that attending staff were a select group with access to these numbers. The code names changed frequently for security. Yet, these informal nicknames added a human touch to their elite status.

In addition to nicknames, these royals used WhatsApp like any typical family, according to Stooks. Family groups included members such as Prince William, Zara Tindall, and others. Stooks noted that despite privilege, William remained approachable, always considering staff workloads before making requests.

Historical anecdotes indicate royal nicknames are not new. William was known as ‘Steve’ during university to maintain a low profile. The late Queen Elizabeth affectionately was referred to as ‘Gary’ by young William and ‘Cabbage’ by Prince Philip. She was also known as ‘Lilibet,’ a namesake for Harry and Meghan’s daughter.

Royal commentators note some nicknames have practical purposes, like aliases for security. For instance, during security concerns, William and Kate took on the names ‘Danny Collins’ and ‘Daphne Clark,’ representing their roles as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have also embraced informal names, often calling each other ‘Fred’ and ‘Gladys,’ inspired by a radio show from Charles’s youth. They add light-heartedness to the formalities of royal life.

Nicknames not only offer privacy but also provide a glimpse into the personalities behind royal titles. Despite public duties, these names reflect personal bonds and a touch of humor within the royal circle.