I read Spare and the one thing I can't wrap my mind around is

newname0 · ‎06-20-2015

why William called his brother Harold while Harry called William Willie?

lgfan · ‎10-19-2012

I have always thought that Harry was a diminutive of Henry. I remember when Harry was born. The announcements on the news called him Prince Henry not Harold. His birth name is Henry Charles Albert David.

FranandZoe · ‎03-09-2010

I think Willie is an obvious nickname for William. Harry's given name is Henry but since his nickname was Harry William must have turned it into Harold. My husband's nickname was Jack (given name John) but some of his friends called him Jackson.

beckyb1012 · ‎03-09-2010

I think it was endearing they had nicknames for each other growing up.

"Live frugally, but love extravagantly."

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

I think they are just adolescent nicknames the two of them kept to cement their bond (or at least the bond they used to have). Maybe no one else in the family used these same nicknames for the two of them.

It shows affection.

DD's best friend calls me by my full first name (not my nickname). No one else I know has done that since my mom - when I was in trouble! LOL!

Isobel Archer · ‎04-04-2015

Battle of Hastings?

faeriemoon · ‎03-14-2010

@newname0 wrote:
why William called his brother Harold while Harry called William Willie?

The "Harold" thing was a joke between brothers. The most obvious name for someone with the nickname Harry is Harold. The Henry/Harry thing is less well known even though it's been around for ages.

Trailrun23 · ‎05-31-2022

I wonder if they would still use those same nicknames now... am thinking they would. I hope they get an opportunity to find out. Their relationship is creeping into the headlines again...the coronation just brings everything to the forefront again. As close as they once were, nothing can take its place. William now has more duties and he seems to be embracing them.