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Privacy NoticeThe Prince and Princess of Wales were over the moon as they anticipated the arrival of their firstborn. During Kate’s pregnancy, the royal couple lovingly referred to their unborn baby with a charming nickname. Prince William and Kate made their joyful announcement in December 2012, and the nation eagerly awaited the birth of Prince George, who arrived on the scene on 22 July, 2013. In his book The New Royal Family from 2013, royal expert Robert Jobson revealed the adorable moniker William and Kate had for their baby-to-be: ‘little grape’. Before she began her maternity leave, Kate’s final public engagement was the Trooping the Colour on 15 June 2013, while William was gearing up for paternity leave from his role in the RAF.

The couple welcomed Prince George in 2013
(Image: Getty Images)

Robert noted: “The next time we would see her [Kate] – officially at least – would be on the hospital steps with her new baby in her arms and proud husband at her side. There is no doubt the birth of her baby would be her biggest test to date, and, indeed, it would be a crowning moment.” “Prince Charles was considered progressive to want to be at his wife’s side. Like his father, William had followed modern convention by taking two weeks’ paternity leave from the RAF to bond with the baby they have nicknamed ‘our little grape’.” It’s well-known that the royals have a soft spot for endearing nicknames; even the late Queen had her own set of pet names, including Lilibet, given by her parents and grandparents, and the more casual ‘Gan Gan’ and even ‘Gary’.

The young royals are thought to be known by their nicknames ‘Tips’, Mignonette and Lou Bugs
(Image: Getty Images)

Prince George has earned himself a charming new nickname from his parents. Originally called “PG” by his classmates at Thomas’s Battersea, the young royal’s moniker evolved when his parents caught wind of it, affectionately calling him “Tips” after the iconic British tea brand. George is reportedly quite taken with his nickname and even uses “Tips” at his current school, Lambrook, as well as within the family circle. His sister, Princess Charlotte, also has her own set of nicknames. Known as Lottie to her parents, Prince William also sweetly referred to Charlotte as ‘mignonette’, a French term of endearment. In 2023, Kate shared the cute nickname she has for her youngest, Prince Louis. During a family outing with a Scout group for the “Big Help Out” initiative, celebrating King Charles’ Coronation, Kate was heard calling Louis “Pop that in the fire, Lou Bugs” as they enjoyed roasting marshmallows over a fire pit. Sign up to OK!’s royal newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free

Prince William also had a funny nickname for his grandmother
(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

Prince William has a few nicknames of his own, including ‘Wombat’, given to him by his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. In a 2007 chat with NBC’s Matt Lauer, he shared: “It began when I was two. I’ve been rightfully told because I can’t remember back that far. But when we went to Australia with our parents, and the wombat, you know, that’s the local animal. So I just basically got called that. Not because I look like a wombat, or maybe I do?!” Interestingly, William is also behind one of the Queen’s more unusual nicknames, ‘Gary’. As per the Daily Mail, while playing at Buckingham Palace as a child, he fell over and called out for help. Instead of shouting ‘Granny’, he yelled ‘Gary’, leaving everyone puzzled. The column reported: “A guest who went to help asked who Gary was, assuming it must be a member of the royal household. ‘I’m Gary,’ responded the Queen. “‘He hasn’t learned to say Granny yet’.”Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnKate MiddletonPrince CharlesPrince GeorgePrince LouisPrince WilliamPrincess CharlotteRoyal Family