The Duchess of Sussex has been given a very unusual nickname by her new father-in-law, it is claimed.
Meghan, 36, was initially christened ‘Tungsten’ by Prince Charles because she is tough and unbending, just like the very strong metal, according to palace sources.
While it might not appear like the most flattering of comparisons, it is intended as a compliment by Charles, 69, and the affectionate name has stuck.
Close: Meghan, 36, was initially christened ‘Tungsten’ by Prince Charles because she is tough and unbending, just like the very strong metal, according to palace sources
The source told the Mail On Sunday’s Charlotte Griffiths: ‘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 close bond between Meghan and Charles became apparent when she asked him to walk her down the aisle after her father, Thomas, pulled out of attending the ceremony due to heart surgery.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain today, Mr Markle said he couldn’t ‘think of a better replacement than someone like Prince Charles’.
He said: ‘He looked very handsome and my daughter looked beautiful with him. I was jealous I wish I’d been there I wish it had been me but thank god he was there and thank him for that. It might have been a treat for him as he never had a daughter.’
Term of endearment: While it might not appear like the most flattering of comparisons, it is intended as a compliment by Charles, 69, and the affectionate name has stuck. Pictured, Prince Charles, 69, with Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex at Trooping the Colour
It is understood Prince Charles was ‘terribly touched’ to have been asked. Harry whispered ‘Thanks, Pa,’ and smiled as Charles left Meghan at his side.
Meghan later thanked Charles for the warm welcome she had given him in an after-dinner speech during the private wedding party at Frogmore House.
One source described how Meghan expressed her gratitude at how welcoming the prince had been to both herself and her mother, Doria Ragland.
Charles also invited Miss Ragland to have tea with him and Camilla at Clarence House shortly after she arrived in London from Los Angeles ahead of the wedding.
Family ties: Meghan was spotted sharing a joke with Harry’s cousin George McCorquodale when the pair attended the wedding of Princess Diana’s niece last Saturday, pictured
Warm welcome: She was greeted with a kiss on the cheek by another of Harry’s cousins, Louis Spencer, Viscout Althorp, outside the church in Stoke Rochford, Lincolnshire
By all accounts, the event went swimmingly and everyone got on ‘famously’.
Meghan appears to be fitting in well with her tightly-knit in-laws. Last week she and the Queen, 92, were spotted ‘laughing like schoolgirls’ as they attended their first official joint engagement together in Cheshire.
Body language experts noted how the pair appeared entirely relaxed and comfortable in each other’s company.
The Duchess of Sussex impressed once again when she joined Harry, 33, for the wedding of Princess Diana’s niece on Saturday.
Getting on famously: Meghan with the Queen, 92, at their first joint engagement in Cheshire last week. One body language expert noted the pair were ‘laughing like schoolgirls’
Touching: A photograph captured the moment that the Duchess of Cornwall took Meghan Markle’s hand during Prince Charles’ 70th birthday celebrations last month
She was greeted like a member of the family as she arrived at the church, kissing Harry’s cousin, Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp, on the cheek.
She was also seen sharing a joke with another of his cousins, George McCorquodale.
Meghan was also snapped holding Camilla’s hand as they shared a fleeting private moment at a Buckingham Palace garden party last month.