A Handed-Down Nickname
A few weeks ago, we reported that Prince George has a very special nickname for his great-grandmother, HM Queen Elizabeth II. But what we did not know is that this name has been around for ages and ages.
Apparently, “Gan-Gan”, as he calls her, is not a new name. Generations of royals before him have used this name to describe their great-grandmothers.
According to royal biographer Kitty Kelley, Prince Charles used the term to refer to his great-grandmother Queen Mary, the mother of Queen Elizabeth’s father King George VI. Princes William and Harry actually called the queen’s mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, “Gan-Gan” until her death in 2002.
Prince William, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Prince Harry, Diana, Princess of Wales
If there’s one thing we know, it’s that the royals, along with your Two Chums, love tradition. And George’s adorable nickname for the queen is the latest in a long line of things the royals have passed down.
Let’s see how many people will start calling their great-grandmothers by the name of “Gan-Gan”! More joy, for sure!
PS Apparently, according to Prince William, his children’s favorite book is Julia Donaldson’s, The Gruffalo.
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I’m no Queen, but my mother was Gan, so I’ll e Gan-Gan.
Thrilled that you shared that with us! Gan-Gan you are and yes, in your own way, a Queen! To little Adelia! Congratulations. You have a treat in store.
Love this story! I was born in the Bahamas – the descendant of British Loyalists. We always called our great-grandmothers Gan Gan. All this time, I thought it was just something specific to our family – who knew?!
I (the Jackie of the Two Chums) spent many wonderful years in the Bahamas! Wonderful islands. Lucky you to be born there!