Royal Family’s Use of Nicknames on WhatsApp Revealed

Inside the British royal family, traditional titles are not always used. Instead, members reportedly have amusing nicknames on WhatsApp. This insight comes from Jack Stooks, a former royal gardener at Highgrove who worked for King Charles for 21 years.

Royal Nicknames Unveiled

Stooks shared details about the messaging habits within the royal family. “Princes William and Harry always had the latest phones,” he told GB News. “They would give their numbers to staff for logistical purposes and also contacted staff via WhatsApp if needed.”

According to Stooks, the royal family adopted nicknames to maintain privacy. William’s nickname was ‘Bobcat’, while Harry was referred to as ‘Baz’. When Catherine married into the family, her nickname became ‘Mrs. Bobcat’. “This way, if a phone was lost, no one would know the real identities behind the numbers,” he explained. The family members changed their numbers often for security reasons.

A Glimpse into Royal Dynamics

The royal family is said to be regular users of WhatsApp to keep in touch. They have group chats with friends and family, creating a communication network that mirrors many families around the world. Prince William’s considerate nature was highlighted by Stooks, as William would often check on a staff member’s workload before requesting assistance, always responding with “You’re a legend” when they agreed to help.

Historical Context of Royal Nicknames

The use of nicknames is not new among the royals. Ian Pelham Turner, a royal broadcaster, noted that nicknames serve purposes beyond affection, such as ensuring privacy. For instance, in security scenarios, William and Kate are known as Danny Collins and Daphne Clark. Other amusing nicknames include ‘Sharon’ for the late Queen due to its resemblance to the word sovereign, and ‘Fred and Gladys’ for King Charles and Queen Camilla, a nod to a historic radio show they both enjoyed.

Although the royal family uses technology, King Charles was less inclined to use modern devices during Stooks’ time working at Highgrove. Despite encouragement from William and Harry to embrace technology, Charles preferred his older, simpler mobile phone.