If there’s one thing we know about the British royals, it’s that they love their nicknames, and apparently, Prince William, 41, and Kate Middleton, 41, have some playful monikers they use for one another, in addition to their pet names.
Sure, the Prince of Wales loves calling his other half “Babykins,” but it turns out he also has a cheeky nickname that was inspired by a joke from the late Queen Elizabeth II: “The Duchess of Doolittle.”
Royal expert Tom Quinn released a book in February, titled Gilded Youth: An Intimate History of Growing Up in the Royal Family, where he explores the couple’s nicknames for one another, as reported by the New York Post.
Apparently, the prince started calling Catherine the “Duchess of Doolittle” based on an ongoing joke made by Queen Elizabeth. Quinn says that the late monarch used to tease the Princess of Wales, saying that she didn't have a full-time job prior to marrying her husband. Thus, the nickname was born. (Like “do little”—get it?)
Ever the good sport though, Princess Catherine takes this joke in stride, but she's not afraid to throw it right back at her husband.
Quinn notes that Princess Catherine sometimes refers to her husband as “Baldy,” or even by the cheeky nickname “Big Willy.” (We don’t feel the need to explain either of those.) Of course, when she's not jabbing him, Princess Catherine can usually be heard calling her hubby “babe.”
Throughout their twenty-year relationship, the Prince and Princess of Wales haven't been afraid of showing their playful side, whether they’re engaging in a friendly game of ping pong or rooting for opposing rugby teams.
The key to a healthy royal marriage? A little bit of ribbing.
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