You'll Never Guess Prince George's Sweet First Nickname
It's royally cute.
It's hard to believe that Prince George—who turned 11 over the summer—was ever tiny enough to be, well, the size of a fruit. But the nickname that Kate Middleton and Prince William gave their first child is absolutely adorable.
If you've ever been pregnant, you're likely familiar with apps that show you how big your baby is each week as compared to foods like a lime or strawberry. Keeping that in mind, it's especially fitting that he Prince and Princess of Wales called George "Little Grape," per royal biographer Robert Jobson in his book, The New Royal Family.
According to Jobson, Prince William—who was serving in the Royal Air Force at the time—took "two weeks' paternity leave from the RAF to bond with the baby they have nicknamed 'our little grape.'"
The royal writer noted that William followed in the footsteps of his father, King Charles, who "was considered progressive to be want to be at his wife's side" when his own children were born.
"Little grape" George was born on July 22, 2013 and introduced to the world outside St. Mary's Hospital in London—but years later, he'd gain another kitchen-themed nickname.
According to the Mirror, Prince George started to get called "PG" when he attended Thomas's Battersea in London, and the nickname has followed him to his new home in Windsor, where he attends Lambrook School.
But PG evolved into a rather British twist, with classmates referring to him as PG Tips, a popular brand of tea in the U.K. "While some kids hate nicknames, George is understood to love his and regularly goes by 'Tips' with with classmates and family," a source told the paper.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
As for the rest of his siblings, Princess Charlotte is said to be called "Lottie Wales" by her school friends, per the Mirror, but she's also been called "Lottie" by her mother and "Mignonette" by Prince William.
And 6-year-old Prince Louis is often called "Lou Bugs" by his family, proving the royals can't get enough of a cute nickname.
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.”
-
Queen Elizabeth Is This Miu Miu Collection's Unlikely Source of Inspiration
The designer's pieces pay tribute to "the fearlessness of British style."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
How to Help People Impacted By Hurricane Helene
As states begin to pick up the pieces, here’s what you can do.
By The Editors Published
-
Zendaya Steals the Louis Vuitton Show With a Faux Pixie
Plus, she matched her red lipstick to her pocket square.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
James Middleton Reveals How Princess Kate and Prince William Dodged Paparazzi at His Wedding Dinner
"It is challenging because the restaurant where we eat is quite exposed."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate Is "Amazingly Brave" and "Doing So Well" After Completing Cancer Treatment
Lady Frederick Windsor shared a heartwarming update on the Princess of Wales.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
How Prince William and Princess Kate are Making Their Own Royal Parenting Rules
"It's a normal, busy family home with kids running around and knocking things over. There's no airs and graces."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
James Middleton's Son Inigo Wears Clothes Donated by Princess Kate and Pippa Middleton
"They are milestones, because my sisters remember when their child was wearing something."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate and Prince William "Treated Themselves" to a Weekend Away Without Their Kids
The royals reportedly escaped to "the monarch's private Highland estate" for a few days.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William Hates Playing Card Games With the "Fiercely Competitive" Middleton Family
"William would flinch at our ruthless determination to win at all costs."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
The Embarrassing Way Prince George and Princess Charlotte Helped Introduce Uncle James Middleton’s Now-Wife to Their Parents
Spoiler alert: There were lots of giggles and bedhead.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince George, 11, Is Already Learning to Fly
The young royal seems poised to follow in his family's footsteps.
By Kristin Contino Published