Kate Middleton and Prince William had very sweet nickname for Prince George before birth

Just like any other couple, Prince William and Princess Kate were incredibly excited to welcome their first child together. And the happy royals had a sweet nickname for their baby that they used during Kate’s pregnancy.

William and Kate announced their pregnancy in December 2012, and went on to welcome their eldest child, Prince George, on 22 July, 2013.

Royal author Robert Jobson delved into Kate’s pregnancy in his 2013 book, The New Royal Family – and shared the pet name the couple had for Prince George before he was even born, ‘little grape’.

Kate made her last public appearance before starting her maternity leave at the 2013 Trooping the Colour on 15 June. Meanwhile, William was preparing to take paternity leave from his duties with the RAF.

Jobson wrote: “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’.”

Of course, the royal family are no strangers to affectionate nicknames; the late Queen was famously called Lilibet by her mother, father and grandparents, as well as ‘Gan Gan’ and even ‘Gary’.

And Prince George now has a new pet name from his parents, inspired by his initials. Back in 2019, the young royal was known as “P.G” by his fellow students at Thomas’s Battersea, in a nod to his title, Prince George.

And once his parents found out about the abbreviation, they reportedly took the next logical step and dubbed him Tips, in reference to the popular British tea brand.

George is said to be a big fan of the nickname and even goes by “Tips” at his current school, Lambrook, and amongst family.

His younger sister Charlotte, meanwhile, is called Lottie by William and Kate – who also call her the “Warrior Princess” due to her ‘feisty’ personality. In addition, it’s said that William also uses the name ‘mignonette’ when referring to his daughter, a French term of endearment.

And in 2023, Princess Kate revealed her adorable name for youngest child, Prince Louis . While the family was volunteering with a Scout group as part of the “Big Help Out” — a nationwide volunteering initiative in honour of the Coronation of King Charles — they took some time to roast marshmallows over a fire pit. As she handed Louis a stick, Kate was overheard saying: “Pop that in the fire , Lou Bug.”