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Why is the Royal Family called ‘The Firm’? Meghan Markle uses Prince Philip's ‘dark’ term in her Oprah interview

'I don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us,' Meghan Markle said

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry gave an explosive interview to Oprah Winfrey in which the couple has reportedly explained their reason to step down from senior duties of the Royal family and why they shifted to the US to start a new life. The two-hour tell-all interview is set to air on CBS on Sunday, March 7. The broadcasting company is releasing teasers of the interview on a regular basis.

A recent teaser shows Meghan discussing her relationship with her in-laws with Winfrey. When the 67-year-old host asked the former actress, "How do you feel about the Palace hearing you speak your truth today?" Meghan replied while referring to the Royal family as "The Firm". She said, “I don't know how they could expect that after all of this time we would still just be silent if there is an active role that The Firm is playing in perpetuating falsehoods about us." The soon-to-be-mother continued after a brief pause, “And, if that comes with risk of losing things, there is a lot that has been lost already."

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Who called the Royal family ‘The Firm’ first?

Reportedly, it was Prince Philip who first used the term ‘The Firm’. He coined the nickname when he married then-Princess Elizabeth in 1947. ‘The Firm’ is reportedly a darker term that hints towards a negative side to the House of Windsor. Also, the term is considered more sardonic than ‘The Crown', which Netflix has used for its series on the family.

It has been said the ‘The Firm’ consists of core members of the family, which has recently been rearranged post-Prince Andrew’s scandal and after Meghan and Harry left the palace for an independent life. The list now includes the Queen and Prince Philip; Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex; Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Princess Anne.

However, it’s not just Meghan who used the ‘dark’ term alone. Earlier, in the movie ‘The King's Speech’, actor Colin Firth, who played the character of King George VI, said: “We're not a family, we're a firm." Also, Royal biographer Penny Junor used the name for her book ‘The Firm: The Troubled Life of the House of Windsor’. The short description of the book states, “However you look at it, the royal family is a big business, though one with more ups and downs than the stock market. Prince Philip calls it ‘The Firm,’ and all the royal executives and their powerful associates are supposed to make every effort to avoid even a hint of scandal that could diminish the reputation of the family business."

Meanwhile, Meghan’s use of ‘The Firm’ has created a lot of buzz on Twitter with many people responding to it. One such user tweeted, “Idk why people are surprised Meghan said “the firm” (they’re known by this name), she called them “the institution” the last time she talked about them.” Another one commented, “Y’all, she called it “The Firm.” I’m dead. #MeghanMarkle isn’t playing and I’m here for it. Burn it to the ground! #AbolishTheMonarchy.” The third added: “Princess Diana called them the Firm long ago and it is the same exact garbage today as it was years ago. The men in grey suits run it and bully anyone who dares to pushback!”