Yes, Queen Elizabeth Was Once Fondly Known as “Gary”
You can thank a young Prince William for that.
You may know her as Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen. Her Majesty. Ma’am. Her Royal Highness. Even Lilibet. But Gary?
Yep—at one point, the Queen’s nickname was Gary. And it’s all thanks to a little boy named Prince William.
It’s Mother’s Day in the U.S., so why not learn why, pray tell, the matriarch of the British Royal Family is called this weird nickname within the family? You see, once upon a time, a little boy named William was casually playing at Buckingham Palace, as one does. He tripped and called out for his grandmother to help him—but he didn’t say “Granny.” Instead?
“Gary!”
…“Much to the confusion of everyone present,” the Mirror reports.
Everyone started looking around for the nearest Gary. “A guest who went to help asked who Gary was,” reports The Daily Mail, per the Mirror, assuming it was a member of the royal household.
“I’m Gary,” deadpanned the Queen as she rushed to comfort her grandson. “He hasn’t learned to say Granny yet.”
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
“Gary” has since, thankfully, evolved into “Granny” from her grandchildren—both William and Harry screamed “Go Granny!” in unison at the 2012 Olympics when the Queen fantastically starred along Daniel Craig as James Bond to open the London games—and “Gan Gan” from her great-grandchildren like Prince George, according to the Duchess of Cambridge speaking in 2016. (Fun fact: “Gan Gan” is what Prince Charles, Prince William, and Prince Harry all called their respective great-grandmothers, too.)
And, not to be outdone, William has had a few nicknames of his own over the years. William’s wife Kate calls him, hilariously, “Baldy” and “Big Willy.” In 1983, his mother, Princess Diana, called him “Wombat.”
“It began when I was two,” William said. “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.”
Those are pretty good nicknames—but few top Gary in royal folklore.
Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more.
-
Kate Middleton Made a Secret, “Under the Radar” Hospital Visit to Thank Nurses and Doctors for Supporting Her During Her Cancer Battle
Kate made a "strictly private" visit in December o personally deliver gifts to the people involved in her treatment.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Zendaya Liked a Ring Similar to Her Engagement Ring Two Full Years Ago on Instagram
Well played, Tom Holland.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Taylor Swift Turns the Tunnel Walk Into a Runway in Chanel
Her latest game-day look is worth thousands.
By Halie LeSavage Last updated
-
Prince William Suddenly Cancels Royal Engagement, Says He Would Have Been "Significantly Restricted"
"The Prince of Wales sends his sincere apologies to those who he had been due to meet."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William "Didn't Want" Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte to Share This Passion He Has in Common With Prince George
Future kings club.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince George Might Inherit This Special Family Title When Prince William Becomes King
"I'd be stunned if it disappeared, only because the monarchy is built on tradition."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William Is Dealing With "Huge Generational Pressure" as He Prepares for the Throne With Kate Middleton
"Disastrous members of the family" are reportedly "wary of his wrath."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William Has "Big Plans" for Two Young Royals Who Live Relatively Normal Lives
The Prince of Wales is allegedly "seizing more power" from King Charles, and wants to give "some lesser-known royals more of a spotlight."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Queen Elizabeth Reacted "Very Calmly" to News Her Royal Courtier Was Actually a Russian Spy
Newly declassified files reveal the late Queen's very unexpected reaction to the art historian's shocking secret.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate Announces She's in Remission, Touches on How Prince William and Her Kids Were Impacted by Her Cancer
"Loved ones need support just as much."
By Kristin Contino Published
-
This Unexpected Royal is Richer Than The King
The top three people on this list might surprise you.
By Kristin Contino Published