The Royal Family’s Secret Nicknames and Technology Habits

The British royal family, known for its traditions, has some unexpected modern habits, notably their use of WhatsApp nicknames. A former royal staffer, Jack Stooks, shared insights into these aliases.

Royal Nicknames on WhatsApp

Jack Stooks, who served as a gardener for King Charles at Highgrove, revealed how members of the royal family address each other in private messages. According to Stooks, Prince William was known as ‘Bobcat’ while his brother, Prince Harry, went by ‘Baz.’ Once married into the family, Kate Middleton took on the nickname ‘Mrs. Bobcat.’

The secrecy surrounding these nicknames served a practical purpose. Stooks noted, “We couldn’t save their real names. If a phone was lost, nicknames offered security.” He emphasized that the royal family regularly changed their phone numbers as a security measure.

The Royals’ Relationships with Tech

Stooks recounted the royal family’s comfort with technology, especially WhatsApp. He remarked, “William and Harry always had the latest phones.” The royals even provided their numbers to staff for logistical purposes, an unusual yet practical approach.

Despite Prince William’s privilege, Stooks described him as polite, noting that William would check staff availability before assigning tasks. Interestingly, William often expressed his gratitude by saying, ‘You’re a legend.’

Other Nicknames and Traditions

The use of nicknames extends beyond WhatsApp. Royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner explained that William and Kate were sometimes referred to as Danny Collins and Daphne Clark, corresponding to their initials as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Meanwhile, King Charles and Queen Camilla preferred to call themselves Fred and Gladys, names inspired by ‘The Goon Show,’ a favorite radio comedy of Charles during his youth.

Turner also shared that the late Queen Elizabeth II had a range of nicknames, such as ‘Sharon’ for ‘sovereign,’ and even ‘Cabbage,’ a term of endearment used by Prince Philip derived from ‘mon petit chou,’ a French term of affection.

Navigating Royal Protocol

The royal family’s playful approach to nicknames provides a glimpse into their efforts to balance tradition with modernity. While security concerns mandate caution, these nicknames reflect a more personal side to their lives.

Jack Stooks’s insights reveal both the public and private dimensions of the royal lifestyle, showing how the family navigates the complexities of maintaining privacy in a digital age.