Prince William Gave Queen Elizabeth a Hilarious Nickname Because He Couldn't Pronounce "Granny" as a Toddler
You'll never guess this one.


Long before Prince William was meeting with international leaders and parenting three kids, he was just another mischievous toddler with a wobbly grasp of the English language—and he even coined a silly nickname for Queen Elizabeth.
It seems little William couldn't get the sound of "Granny" right, and according to a story shared by the Daily Mail, one particular moment had the palace staff doing double-takes.
Per the publication, "The Queen was on hand after William fell over at Buckingham Palace, bawling: ‘Gary, Gary.' A guest who went to help asked who Gary was, assuming it must be a member of the royal household." Enter Queen Elizabeth, who proclaimed, "I’m Gary." After picking her grandson up, the late monarch apparently explained, "He hasn’t learned to say Granny yet."
And while Prince Louis is known for his hijinks these days, it turns out his dad could've given the young royal a run for his money as a child growing up in the '80s.
"Gary" is seen with a young Prince William and Prince Harry in 1987.
Queen Elizabeth ended up chasing Prince William as they stood with guests after Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's wedding.
The Daily Mail's Richard Kay noted that "William was boisterous and full of beans" as a toddler. The 2-year-old royal was "full of mischief" and enjoyed one particular "party trick," which entailed "flushing his footwear into the Kensington Palace nursery lavatory."
It seems young William also had "an unhealthy interest in the alarms that protected the royal homes" and before his second birthday even took place, somehow managed to set off "a panic button at Balmoral that sent police racing to the Scottish castle."
As for "Gary," the late Queen's nickname joins a host of other adorable royal monikers. Prince William was known as "Wombat" as a child, Princess Charlotte has been called "Mignonette" by her dad, and Prince George is reportedly known as "PG" or "PG Tips" by his school pals, after both Prince George and the popular tea brand.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

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.
-
Sofia Richie Grainge Styles Zebra Pants With Flip-Flops
Next stop on the tour: her elegant wedding venue in the South of France.
-
Gigi Hadid Pairs Metallic Track Pants and Mesh Flats
The controversial shoe trend is most definitely gaining steam.
-
Body Language Expert Says Kate Can't "Mask Her Emotions"
"We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
Body Language Expert Reveals Kate Middleton Can't "Mask Her Emotions" at Trooping the Colour 2025
"We also saw William...mirroring the same emotions as Kate."
-
Kate Middleton's Trooping the Colour Outfit Features a Special Tribute to Queen Elizabeth II
Catherine made sure the late monarch's presence was felt at the prestigious event.
-
This Vintage Clip of Kate Middleton Apologizing to Prince William After Beating Him in a Boat Race Is Going Viral on TikTok
"We were sabotaged," Will joked after Kate beat him not once, but twice.
-
The "Cheeky" Joke Prince William Made Referencing a Former Queen at Formal Windsor Castle Event
The Prince of Wales was speaking to 'Bad Sisters' star Anne-Marie Duff at the time.
-
How Prince George and Prince William's "Shared Passion" Made a Windsor Castle Event "Extra Special" for One Attendee
The father and son duo have made quite the impact.
-
Body Language Expert Reveals Queen Elizabeth "Truly Embraced" Meghan Markle During Rare Joint Appearance as a "Double Act" in 2018
"The fact that the two of them were appearing together...was quite unique."
-
Princess Eugenie Has Allegedly "Formed an Alliance" With Prince William, Which Could Impact Her Future Within the Royal Family
A "shared passion" has "brought the cousins closer together."
-
One Moment During Princess Diana and Prince Charles's Wedding Had Queen Elizabeth Calling Herself "Miss Piggy"
Who, moi?