Kate Middleton revealed the one habit royal family teased her about in resurfaced interview
LONDON, ENGLAND: Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, is often celebrated for her poise and dedication to her royal duties. However, in a heartfelt interview commemorating the late Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday in 2016, Kate revealed that her journey into royal life came with its own set of challenges.
Reflecting on her early experiences, she shared personal stories about the support she received from the late Queen and the lessons she learned while navigating her royal responsibilities.
Kate Middleton reflects on first solo engagement and Queen Elizabeth's support
One of the standout moments in Kate Middleton's early royal career occurred during her first solo engagement in Leicester, where she was accompanied by Queen Elizabeth. "The most memorable engagement for me I suppose was an away day to Leicester and I went without William so I was rather apprehensive about that," Kate admitted.
Despite her nerves, she found herself joking about her early missteps, especially regarding royal walkabouts—a tradition where royals interact with the public. "I think there is a real art to walkabouts, everyone teases me in the family that I spend far too long chatting, so I think I've still got to learn a little bit more and pick up a few more tips I suppose," she laughed.
Kate expressed deep gratitude for the Queen's support during this pivotal time, recalling how the monarch took extra care to make her feel at ease. "She was very supportive. The fact she took the time to make sure that I was happy and looked after for that particular occasion, which probably in everything that she's doing is a very small element, which just shows how caring she is, really," Kate shared.
Kate Middleton reflects on Queen Elizabeth's special bond with her children
The interview also touched on the special bond between Queen Elizabeth and Kate Middleton's children, particularly Princess Charlotte. Kate described the Queen's joy at the arrival of Charlotte, noting that the Queen was thrilled to welcome another girl into the family.
"It's very special, us having a new little girl to the family. Very lucky that George has got a little sister. The Queen, she was really thrilled that it was a little girl," Kate said. "And I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington [Palace] she was one of our first visitors here. I think she's very fond of Charlotte, always watching what she's up to."
Kate also fondly recalled a moment when her young son, Prince George, affectionately referred to the Queen as "gan-gan," a nickname that highlights the closeness they shared.
"George is only two and a half and calls her 'gan-gan.' She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay, and that just shows, I think, her love for her family," Kate added.
Kate Middleton recalls her first royal Christmas
Kate Middleton also reflected on the warmth and simplicity of her first royal Christmas at Sandringham, a few months after her marriage to Prince William. Instead of expecting a lavish display of grandeur, Kate was struck by how much the Queen valued the small, thoughtful gestures. "You would expect a lot of grandeur and a lot of fuss, but actually what really resonates with me is her love for the simple things," Kate explained.
She recalled feeling nervous about what to give the Queen for Christmas. "I was thinking: 'Gosh, what should I give her?'" Kate remembered. "I thought: 'I'll make her something', which could have gone horribly wrong, but I decided to make my granny's recipe for chutney. I was slightly worried about it, but I noticed the next day that it was on the table."
Kate went on to explain how this simple gift deeply impacted her. "I think such a simple gesture went such a long way for me, and I've noticed since she's done that on lots of occasions and I think it just shows her thoughtfulness, really, and her care in looking after everybody," she said.
