Twitter users have sprung to the defence of a Scottish town after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex reportedly rejected it from a potential title for their son.
Archie, two, could have been named the Earl of Dumbarton, but Meghan and Harry turned down the moniker because it contained the word “dumb”, sources told The Telegraph.
The couple feared the title would set their first-born up for bullying or nicknames, particularly since “dumb” is a more common insult in the US, where they are now based, according to the paper.
“They didn’t like the idea of Archie being called the Earl of Dumbarton because it began with the word ‘dumb’ [and] they were worried about how that might look,” one insider allegedly said.
The reports have prompted residents of the ancient town in West Dunbartonshire to share their pride in their home, whatever the “landed gentry” might (apparently) think of its name.
Here’s what some of them had to say:
Term ‘fortress of the Britons’ so it would actually have been quite a ‘patriotic’ wee title for the wee man. Again though it doesnt really matter. Id rather see investment in Dumbartons working class history famous for building ships etc than having an ‘Earl’.
— Baseballscot (@baseballscot) June 23, 2021
I’m from Dumbarton and proud of it. How insulting of the Telegraph to print such bile. Shall never buy this paper. https://t.co/v9e5QWDcm3
— Craig Scott (@CraigRMScott) June 24, 2021
Meanwhile other commentators, not from the area, offered the community their support (or sympathy):
Bet the inhabitants of Dumbarton are thanking their stars for their lucky escape but also on the other hand it’s an insult to the villagers with the implication of them all being called dumb
— Gaze, Lynda 🌻👑 (@star5spice) June 24, 2021
I think the lovely town of Dumbarton, Scotland escaped the sinister circus and most vile fandom in the universe. That is a huge blessing. Thank goodness!
— Only the Truth (@Moi998877) June 23, 2021
I'm sure those in Dumbarton are feeling the love tonight 😬
— Toria (@toricambridge) June 23, 2021
Meghan and Prince Harry reject ‘Earl of Dumbarton’ title for Archie because it contains the word ‘Dumb’.
— Stephen Watt (@StephenWattSpit) June 24, 2021
Dumbarton people reject Meghan and Prince Harry because they are ‘Dumb’.
Let’s call it a draw. Idiots.
Others took the opportunity to educate fellow social media users on the town’s history and its name’s etymology:
The name 'Dumbarton' comes from the Scottish Gaelic Dùn Breatainn meaning "fort of the Brythons (Britons)" and reminds us that the earliest inhabitants of Clydesdale spoke a form of Welsh.
— Robert Kimbell #TimeForThePeople (@Rob_Kimbell) June 24, 2021
'The Late Iron Age and Early Historic Period'; Scottish Archaeological Journal. Wikipedia
Might be a good idea if they educated themselves on the history of my wee town Dumbarton . Scots: Dumbairton; from Scottish Gaelic Dùn Breatann or Dùn Breatainn 'fort of the Britons’. Dumbarton was a Royal burgh between 1222 and 1975.
— Tanya Hennebry (@TanyaHennebry1) June 24, 2021
And others, including GB News frontman Andrew Neil, made light of the whole thing – insulting another UK town in the process:
Surely this can’t be true. And if it is, should they not be grateful. It could have been Lord Scunthorpe. https://t.co/vpfGb4oDR8
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) June 23, 2021
Elsewhere, a number of people pointed out that the title Earl of Dumbarton already belongs to someone… the Duke of Sussex himself.
The Queen awarded it to her grandson in July 2018 – along with another subsidiary title, Baron Kilkeel – to mark his marriage to Megan.
Therefore, the natural heir to the earldom is his son, unless he decides otherwise (which he apparently has).
But surely Harry IS the Earl of Dumbarton already ... he didn’t object to it so ......
— mikejoyce 🌳 (@hammersmikey) June 24, 2021
#Harry & his wife insulted the people of Dumbarton & presumably they were thinking of merchandising opportunities even then. Remove the title from Harry immediately @RoyalFamily https://t.co/4tPuC0bKhy
— 🇬🇧Abicat #GBNews #England #SackSouthgate (@JenFullick) June 24, 2021
Sceptics have responded to news of the alleged snub by suggesting it was all an elaborate ploy concocted to distract attention from the Royal Family’s financial statements, which were published the same day.
Yep, I guess its no coincidence the 'Dumbarton' story about Harry and Meghan was briefed to the press the very same day it was revealed that during a pandemic and lockdown (and with two members less), taxpayer funding to the royal scroungers actually rose.. pic.twitter.com/jvpXQrjmj8
— Monsignor it's all Corbyn's fault. (@ItCorbyn) June 24, 2021
All we can say is, having learned more about Dumbarton, we’d love to pay it – and its wonderful, bright people – a visit.
indy100 has contacted Meghan and Harry’s representatives for comment.
