King Charles reportedly had an eight-letter nickname for Meghan Markle shortly after she married into the Royal Family. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex tied the knot in May 2018, less than two years before they stepped away from royal duties.
Although the state of their relationship is now unknown, the King reportedly got on well with his daughter-in-law at the start of her relationship with Harry. Meghan is said to have surprised her father-in-law so much at the beginning that he gave her a "strong" nickname.
Nickname meaning and origins
Although the King has never been heard publicly calling Meghan by this nickname, it is believed he used to refer to her as "tungsten". This is reportedly a hard, brittle metal with the highest melting point of any known element, making the name a compliment to Meghan for her strength and capability.
Palace insiders have previously said that the monarch came up with this nickname because of her "tough" nature. Another insider said that the nickname was a form of the King's endearment for Meghan.
Insider comments and current status
A source previously told the Mail on Sunday, "Prince Charles admires Meghan for her strength and the backbone she gives Harry, who needs a tungsten-type figure in his life as he can be a bit of a softy. It's become a term of endearment."
The Duke and Duchess returned to the UK last month, six years after moving to the US. The couple are thought to be living in the Cotswolds with their two children, and the King recently said in a statement that the pair are still not working members of the family.
