BBC Radio 4's Nick Robinson chuckles and appears to poke fun at Harry and Meghan

BBC Radio 4's Nick Robinson chuckles and appears to poke fun at Harry and Meghan
BBC Radio 4's Nick Robinson chuckles and appears to poke fun at Harry and Meghan

BBC star Nick Robinson today jokingly appeared to refer to Harry and Meghan as 'dumb and dumber' on air while discussing claims the Sussexes didn't want their son to be named the Earl of Dumbarton.

Fellow Today programme host Justin Webb also laughed out loud when discussing The Daily Telegraph's story claiming the couple did not want their eldest son to use the title because it contained the word 'dumb'. 

Listeners also enjoyed the funny moment that came weeks after Harry and Meghan declared war on the BBC over their claims that they failed to consult the Queen about using her nickname 'Lilibet' for their new daughter, with the couple's lawyers calling it 'false and defamatory'.

This morning Mr Robinson appeared to poke fun at the couple during Today's paper review. 

A laughing Justin Webb said: 'The Daily Telegraph is claiming that Prince Harry and Meghan turned down the title of Earl of Dumbarton for their son Archie because it contained the word dumb. A spokesman for the couple declined to comment'.

Co-host Nick Robinson then laughed and said: 'Dumb and dumber' before moving on to the next story. It is not clear what he meant by the phrase. 

But it is being widely used on social media by critics of the couple who have seen the story. 

BBC star Nick Robinson today jokingly referred to Harry and Meghan as 'dumb and dumber' on air and co-host Justin Webb got the giggles over claims they did not want their eldest son to use the title Earl of Dumbarton because it contained the word 'dumb'

BBC star Nick Robinson today jokingly referred to Harry and Meghan as 'dumb and dumber' on air and co-host Justin Webb got the giggles over claims they did not want their eldest son to use the title Earl of Dumbarton because it contained the word 'dumb'

BBC star Nick Robinson today jokingly referred to Harry and Meghan as 'dumb and dumber' on air and co-host Justin Webb got the giggles over claims they did not want their eldest son to use the title Earl of Dumbarton because it contained the word 'dumb'

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not want to use the Earl of Dumbarton title for their son Archie because it contained the word 'dumb', it has been reported

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not want to use the Earl of Dumbarton title for their son Archie because it contained the word 'dumb', it has been reported

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are said to have not been keen on the title because they feared the young royal might be mocked, the Telegraph reports.  

The history behind the title 'The Earl of Dumbarton' 

The Earl of Dumbarton is a historic Scottish title which has been extinct for more than 250 years.

It was first created in the reign of Charles II in the 1670s and given to professional soldier George Douglas

It was first created in the reign of Charles II in the 1670s and given to professional soldier George Douglas

It was first created in the reign of Charles II in the 1670s and given to professional soldier George Douglas, who was also made Lord of Ettrick at the same time.

Despite being born in Scotland, most likely in Douglas Castle, Lanarkshire, to the Marquess of Douglas, George, a catholic, spent much of his time in the service of French king Louis XIV.

When James II ascended to the English and Scottish throne he was a trusted servant - even following him to exile in France after the Glorious Revolution.

Following the death of their only son, the unmarried second Earl, both of Douglas' titles became extinct in January 1749. 

The second creation of the title was in 2018, when Prince Harry was made the Earl of Dumbarton and Baron Kilkeel on his wedding day to Meghan Markle. 

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Harry and Meghan were given the titles of Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Earl and Countess of Dumbarton and Baron and Baroness Kilkeel by the Queen on their wedding day. 

However, they have rarely used the two other titles, with the couple instead going by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.  

Sources meanwhile have reportedly told the Telegraph that the couple were not keen on using the Earl of Dumbarton - a title of Scottish nobility - for Archie because it began with the word 'dumb' and they were 'worried about how that might look'.

Another insider reportedly told the paper: 'It wasn't just Meghan who pointed out the potential pitfalls, it also bothered Harry.' 

Prince Harry, 36, is said to have not wanted to give his children titles anyway. Instead it is believed he wants to follow in the footsteps of his aunt, Princess Anne, who did not give titles to son Peter and daughter Zara.   

Meanwhile, the Telegraph also reported how sources close to the Sussexes claim the couple 'never raised an issue' about Archie, two, not being made a prince.

It comes after reports in the Mail on Sunday suggested that Prince Charles had told Meghan and Harry that Archie would not be made a prince when he becomes king, as he plans to slim-down the number of 'front-line' royals. 

The issue was raised during their jaw-dropping interview with Oprah Winfrey earlier this year, when Meghan claimed Archie had been blocked from a royal title - and could no longer get taxpayer funded security.

Meghan told the US chat show host: 'They didn't want him to be a prince or princess, not knowing what the

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