Prince Charles's 'code name' for Meghan Markle may signal his true feelings, says expert

Prince Charles has a code name for Meghan Markle and it offers an insight into his true feelings towards her, one royal expert claims.

The Prince of Wales has settled on calling his son Prince Harry's pregnant wife "Tungsten" - and it's quite the compliment.

The meaning of the 72-year-old's petname for the Duchess gives a glimpse at his opinion about her, it has been said.

Tungsten in this context is often used to describe someone who demonstrates a resilient nature.

According to Christine-Marie Liwag Dixon, Charles uses the code name in a flattering way.

Speaking to viewers of The List, she explained: "Meghan Markle hasn't had an easy time of it since joining the Royal Family.

Charles is said to refer to Meghan as 'Tungsten' (Getty Images)

"She has also said that she felt less than at home in the Royal Family.

"The Royal Family may not have approved of Meghan and Harry stepping down as senior royals despite them doing so to escape an environment that was clearly not good for their mental health.

"However it seems that Prince Charles had a lot of respect for Meghan's resilient nature."

Christine-Marie went on to explain what the nickname means as she continued: "This was evident in the secret nickname he reportedly had for her: 'Tungsten'.

The code name is a "compliment" says royal commentator Christine-Marie Liwag Dixon (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

"As royal correspondent Russell Myers revealed, Charles nicknamed her after the metal as 'she is tough and unbending'. Tungsten is the strongest naturally occurring metal on the planet."

Within the walls of the palaces, the Royal Family have nicknames for each other - and some of them are rather odd.

Playful Kate Middleton calls husband Prince William 'Baldy'.

William and Kate have some very playful pet-names for each other (Getty Images)

While William responds by sometimes referring to her as the Duchess of Dolittle.

Some suggest that is a possible reference to reports the Queen was worried about her lack of career when they started dating.

One source told the Sun : "The royals are not very good at communicating with one another so this is one way around it. Nicknames are a way of taking the family tension out of things.

“They can also be a rather childlike family.

"They love to play games and they give each other silly presents. I think it's because they have to be so earnest in their public lives.

"Royals have always played in private."