You'll Never Guess Prince George's Sweet First Nickname

It's royally cute.

Kate Middleton and Prince William holding baby Prince George
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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.

Prince William holding Prince George outside the hospital in 2013

Prince William posed for photos with a newborn Prince George outside the London hospital where he was born.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

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.

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.

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Kristin Contino
Senior Royal and Celebrity Editor

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 has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.