Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career Money
    • Health Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes amp; Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • NYFW
    • Life In Plastic
    • Cari Champion
    • New Books
    • Postpartum Psychosis
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    The "Wry" and "Atypical" Comment Queen Elizabeth Made After Prince William's Birth About His Resemblance to His Parents

    The late monarch was allegedly happy William didn't inherit one thing in particular.

    Amy Mackelden#039;s avatar
    By Amy Mackelden
    Published 22 June 2025 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Princess Diana holds baby Prince William outside the Lindo Wing in June 1982 after giving birth, alongside King Charles and Queen Elizabeth
    (Image credit: Jon Hoffman/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Queen Elizabeth II was known for a multitude of things, from pranking American tourists in Balmoral to making witty comebacks in any argument. According to royal experts, the late monarch made one particularly "wry," and perhaps a little awkward, comment when she met her grandson Prince William for the very first time in 1982.

    Royal biographer Andrew Morton discussed the memorable moment in his book, Diana: Her True Story—In Her Own Words. "When The Queen came to visit her grandchild the following day her comment was atypical," Morton wrote (via the Daily Mail). "As she looked at the tiny bundle she said drily: 'Thank goodness he hasn't got ears like his father.'"

    Queen Elizabeth was referring to her son, King Charles, who has always had distinctive ears. In fact, actor Josh O'Connor revealed he believed his own distinctive ears were the very reason he was cast as Prince Charles in The Crown.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    Queen Elizabeth II wears a pink coat and holds a black umbrella leaving the Lindo Wing after Prince William#039;s birth, and the Royal Family poses for photos at William#039;s christening

    The Royal Family gathers for Prince William's christening on August 4, 1982.

    (Image credit: Fox Photos/Getty Images)

    Diana: Her True Story in Her Own Words

    Andrew Morton
    'Diana: Her True Story—In Her Own Words'
    $16
    SHOP NOW

    Morton also revealed why Princess Diana and King Charles named their eldest son Prince William. "Charles wanted to call his first son Arthur and his second Albert, after Queen Victoria's consort," Morton explained. "William and Harry were Diana's choices while her husband's preferences were used in their children's middle names."

    Queen Elizabeth II wears a pink coat and holds a black umbrella leaving the Lindo Wing after Prince William#039;s birth, and the Royal Family poses for photos at William#039;s christening

    Queen Elizabeth II leaves the Lindo Wing after meeting baby Prince William for the first time on June 22, 1982.

    (Image credit: John Shelley Collection/Avalon/Getty Images)

    Prince William seemingly developed a close relationship with his grandmother as he got older. Although Queen Elizabeth reportedly told friends she had a "Kate problem," when William started dating Kate Middleton, the monarch quickly grew to support the couple's relationship. In fact, she reportedly let William "rip up" the royal rulebook when it came to planning his wedding to Princess Kate.

    You may like
    • Queen Elizabeth in a turquoise coat sitting next to Prince William Queen Elizabeth Was "Relaxed and Utterly at Home" in One Place
    • Prince William sitting in the stands at the Commonwealth Games talking to Prince Louis and Prince George Prince William Follows in One Unexpected Royal’s Parenting Footsteps
    • Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend the launch of The Queen#039;s Baton Relay for the XXI Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on March 13, 2017 Queen Elizabeth Greeted Prince Philip "Wearing a False Beard"
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Explore More
    Queen Elizabeth II Prince William King Charles Diana parenting
    Amy Mackelden
    Amy Mackelden
    Social Links Navigation
    Weekend Editor

    Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.

    Read more
    Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip attend the launch of The Queen#039;s Baton Relay for the XXI Commonwealth Games at Buckingham Palace on March 13, 2017
    Royals Queen Elizabeth Greeted Prince Philip "Wearing a False Beard"
    By Amy Mackelden
    Queen Camilla turned to the side wearing a green dress
    Royals Queen Camilla's Friend Shares Her Philosophy on Prince Harry Relationship
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Prince William wearing a plumed hat
    Royals Prince William Will Be the First British Monarch With American Ancestry
    By Kristin Contino
    King Charles waving in a blue suit; Prince George wearing his Eton College uniform
    Royals King Charles Could Recreate One of Queen Elizabeth's Eton Rituals
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte with their heads together at the Commonwealth Games
    Royals Princess Charlotte Had a Special Backstage Experience Orchestrated by Mom Kate
    Prince Harry looks at Prince William on the Buckingham Palace balcony as both wear military uniforms
    Royals Prince William's Stance on Prince Harry Has Changed to a "Cold War"
     
     
    Duchess Sophie wearing a lime green dress with a purple sash
    Royals Duchess Sophie Embraces Fall's Unexpected Color Clashing Trend
    Prince Harry riding an ATV with Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie with their dog running behind
    Royals Princess Lilibet Shares One of Mom Meghan's Favorite Hobbies
     
     
    Latest in News
    Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte with their heads together at the Commonwealth Games
    Royals Princess Charlotte Had a Special Backstage Experience Orchestrated by Mom Kate
    collage of New York Fashion Week guests and celebrities wearing the statement skirt trend
    Fall fashion New York Fashion Week's Easiest Outfit Formula Starts With a Statement Skirt
     
     
    Prince Harry looks at Prince William on the Buckingham Palace balcony as both wear military uniforms
    Royals Prince William's Stance on Prince Harry Has Changed to a "Cold War"
    collage of the best celebrity looks at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival
    Celebrity Style TIFF 2026's Best-Dressed Stars Are Bringing Their Fashion A-Game to Toronto
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.