The residents of Dumbarton reacted with fury today over claims that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle did not want their firstborn Archie to be called the Earl of Dumbarton because it contained the word 'dumb'.
Locals in the working-class town in West Dunbartonshire, which is one of Scotland's most deprived areas, blasted the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for being 'stupid', 'woke' and 'insulting' for rejecting the name.
The couple, who live in an £11million mansion in California, were slammed for 'virtue signalling', seeking celebrity status and for claiming to be victims - while insulting a population of around 20,000 people in Dumbarton.
The Duke and Duchess were said to have not been keen on the Earl of Dumbarton title because they feared their son who is now two years old might be mocked and bullied as he grows up, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Lifelong residents of Dumbarton, a small town west of Glasgow, rejected the suggestion that Archie would be bullied for the association and insisted that sharing the town's name was something to be proud of.
Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie joked it was a 'low blow' and shared a meme of her with the words ''mon then', while Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar added: 'The Queen… of Dumbarton @jackiebmsp is not going to be happy!'
Dumbarton mother-of-one Nicole Bates (left), 21, conceded she might have been called a 'dumb blonde' but it had nothing to do with where she was from, which she said was a 'good place', while student Jade Daly (right), 20, said: 'I have lived in Dumbarton my entire life and I have never once been called dumb because of it'
Grandfather-of-one Bill Hannah (left), 83, of Dumbarton, said Harry is 'more interested in being a celebrity than following his duties', while finance officer Liz Clark (right), 59, said is 'pathetic' and 'insulting to the people of Dumbarton'
Father-of-one James McBarron (left), 41, said he was proud his little boy would grow up in the town and branded it 'insulting'. Scott Murdoch (right), 25, a sales rep, said: 'I didn't think they could get any stupider, but there you go'
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with Archie in Cape Town in September 2019 during their royal tour of South Africa
An aerial view of Dumbarton today after Prince Harry and Meghan were said to have turned down its name in a title for Archie
Mother-of-one Nicole Bates, 21, conceded that she might have been called a 'dumb blonde' but it had nothing to do with where she was from, which she said was a 'good place'.
The pub worker said 'I think that's shocking. I don't know why they would do that. Dumbarton's a good place, full of crazy people but they are certainly not dumb.
It was first created in the reign of Charles II in the 1670s and given to professional soldier George Douglas
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, 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.
Dumbarton in Scotland pictured in the present day
The Scottish town of Dumbarton, from the Gaelic Dùn Breatann, is rooted in rich history that can be traced back to the Iron Age.
It was once the strategic stronghold of the Alclud Kingdom, making it the centre of British power in the north.
The town was later granted the status of Royal burgh by Scotland's Alexander II in 1222.
After his capture by the English in 1305, William Wallace was shortly imprisoned in Dumbarton Castle - today a popular tourist spot.
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'I used to be blonde, so I guess I could get called a dumb blonde - but it's nothing to do with being from Dumbarton. I think they (think) it could maybe affect their children, so they are trying to protect them.'
Grandfather-of-one Bill Hannah, 83, added: 'I couldn't give a s***. I think how they act is ridiculous, the way they keep going on in the press. He is more interested in being a celebrity than following his duties.
'I wouldn't want him to have anything to do with Dumbarton. He can be the Prince of California for all I care.'
Student Jade Daly, 20, added: 'Refusing that is a bit dumb in itself. I have lived in Dumbarton my entire life and I have never once been called dumb because of it.
'I guess I can see why they act like they act sometimes - but refusing the title of Dumbarton for that is stupid. I think they do get treated a bit rubbish though.
'When Meghan says she has mental health issues you cannot doubt that, especially with the mental health crisis going on.'
Finance officer Liz Clark, 59, said: 'It's pathetic. It's insulting to the people of Dumbarton. They clearly want more attention, as they are chasing the celebrity life.
'So everyone that comes from Dumbarton will be bullied? It's pathetic, as I said. I think she leads him. It's going to come out who her grandmother is to her children, she can't hide away from her title.'
And Scott Murdoch, 25, a sales rep, said: 'I didn't think they could get any stupider, but there you go. I think that sums it up quite well. It's virtue signalling, to make people think they are good people.
'No children are getting bullied because of a title. They are extremely woke - your standard people that are always the victim.'
Father-of-one James McBarron, 41, said he was proud his little boy would grow up in the town and branded it 'insulting'.
Mr McBarron, who works as chef, said: 'Why have they refused that? They would never get called dumb, that would never happen. I think it's insulting. I'm from Dumbarton, lived here my whole life. If it was me, I would be proud. They should honour it.
'I'm proud to say I'm from Dumbarton, and I'm proud to have a child from Dumbarton. I mean it's part of a word. They should honour their titles. I don't think this is a problem if he is not with Meghan.'
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.
The Scottish town of Dumbarton, pictured today, is rooted in rich history that can be traced back to the Iron Age
