Queen's generous offer to Kate Middleton ahead of wedding to Prince William revealed
The Queen made a very kind gesture to Kate Middleton before she married Prince William in 2011, according to a royal insider
Queen Elizabeth II helped Kate Middleton to prepare for royal life by making a generous offer to the future princess ahead of her wedding to Prince William, a royal insider has revealed.
- The Queen made a generous offer to Kate Middleton before she married into the Royal Family in 2011, an insider has revealed.
- Her Majesty reportedly gave the Princess of Wales access to her personal office and her ladies-in-waiting so that she could best prepare for her new life in the Firm.
- In other royal news, Princess Diana showed 'formidable' side in pre-wedding cull - but for the most touching reason.
Queen Elizabeth II gave Kate Middleton a thoughtful gift ahead of her wedding to Prince William, a royal insider has revealed.
Her Majesty reportedly made her ladies-in-waiting available to the Princess of Wales before she married into the Royal Family in 2011, in the hope that the court aides could prepare her future granddaughter-in-law for the pressures of serving the British monarchy.
According to the author of The New Royals, Katie Nicholl, Kate Middleton "took up" the late monarch's generous offer and "made sure she benefitted from that experience."
"The Queen had made her own private office and her ladies in waiting available to Catherine, so she could go and talk to them first-hand about what it was like to do royal engagements and how one should behave," the Vanity Fair royal correspondent said.
While it remains unknown exactly what these consultations entailed, it's likely that they gave Kate the opportunity to learn all about princess etiquette and patriotism. This was especially important for the duchess, who, unlike her husband, hadn't been raised in aristocratic circles.
Kate Middleton hails from a regular family in Reading and, after falling in love with Prince William while they were both studying at the University of St. Andrew's, went on to work a regular job as an accessories buyer for the UK fashion chain, Jigsaw. While undeniably affluent (her parents, Michael and Carole, are self-made millionaires), the future royal was far from versed in royal norms.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
"From the beginning, Kate Middleton had a great deal of support from the Royal Family which was really instructed by the Queen," journalist Ashley Pearson said in the 2017 Amazon documentary, Kate Middleton: Working Class to Windsor. "This was to make sure she knew as much as she could possibly know and what to do in every situation – bearing in mind, of course, that she didn’t grow up in this world."
The Prince of Wales also received mentorship from Her Majesty before marrying Kate. The Queen began training Prince William to be King in his childhood, inviting the heir to Windsor Castle every Sunday for constitutional lessons and lots of tea and cake. It's understood the visits were also a time for the royal teenager to confide in Her Majesty, who had been given similar guidance from her own elders.
"Those sessions were also an opportunity for her to mentor and teach him, as her grandfather, George V, did with her," Katie said. "They became incredibly close and as his respect for her grew he began to embrace his destiny."
Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
Jennifer Aniston’s sultry waistcoat top and layered gold jewellery is the understated party look we're recreating this New Year
With a low cut neckline and figure-hugging fit, Jennifer Aniston's waistcoat top is the perfect sultry party wear for New Year celebrations
By Charlie Elizabeth Culverhouse Published
-
Can you make mulled wine in a slow cooker? Yes, I did, and it made my house smell like Christmas
Here's the perfect recipe for brewing this festive favourite in your slow cooker
By Jessica Dady Published
-
Prince George, Charlotte and Louis’s special festive privilege to enjoy Kate’s big moment
The Wales children are expected to make a heart-warming appearance this month and it could require an exception to be made
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
The royal Christmas tradition that Prince William and Kate Middleton could change when they’re King and Queen
The Prince and Princess of Wales might change 'a lot' of royal customs one day and a royal expert suspects this will be one of them
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton's new burgundy look has a luxurious twist with a dose of Chanel and sleek knee highs
The Princess of Wales loves a tonal outfit and her latest look championed the colour of the season in the most sensational way
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Bring on the bows! Kate Middleton's traditional Christmas tree design has us ready to deck the halls
The Princess of Wales seems to love a gold and red Christmas tree theme that balances 'understated glam' and 'heirloom style'
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s Ugg boot days might be behind her but these rare pictures reminded us how timeless they are
The Princess of Wales once stepped out in a pair of cosy beige Uggs and it shows that these classic boots will always come back in style
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
We can't quite believe Kate Middleton's delicate gold earrings are only £18
If you've been looking for the perfect affordable everyday earrings then the Princess of Wales's Orelia hoops are a gorgeous choice
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
It's finally time for us to buy Kate Middleton's exact earrings we've admired for years
The Princess of Wales's Missoma hoop earrings are something we've been eyeing up for ages and they're now in the sale
By Emma Shacklock Published
-
Kate Middleton’s favourite lip-gloss is on sale - if it’s good enough for a Princess, we have to try it
The Princess of Wales was spotted using this particular Clarins lip product while she watched Wimbledon back in 2019
By Emma Shacklock Published