Princess Anne’s Sweet Nickname for King Charles: “Old Bean”

It may seem odd to Americans that Princess Anne addressed King Charles as “old bean,” but the nickname has English roots, much like the endearment “poppet” that Kate Middleton used for Prince Louis. The Cambridge Dictionary explains “old bean” as “a friendly way of talking to a man.” The phrase carries a certain air of poshness and is often used between men, which likely contributed to King Charles finding Princess Anne’s greeting so amusing.

In 1998, Princess Anne became the first woman to hold the title of Colonel of the Blues and Royals. She wore her ceremonial military uniform for the coronation and served as the king’s Gold Stick in Waiting, a primarily ceremonial role as the monarch’s personal bodyguard.

“That is a role I was asked if I’d like to do for this coronation, so I said yes,” Princess Anne told CBC News. “Not least of all, it solves my dress problem.” Considering Princess Anne has a history of bending rules for gender equality, it’s no surprise that she would humorously reference her traditionally masculine role when addressing her brother. This also gives a glimpse into the close bond shared by the royal siblings.

Source: Cambridge Dictionary, CBC News