The Middletons are Prince William’s ‘anchor’ and provide a ‘sense of normality’, royal expert claims

Prince William has always been close to Duchess Catherine's 'close-knit' family

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrives at the RNLI lifeboat station on Mumbles Pier on February 4, 2020 in Swansea, Wales
(Image credit: Photo by Polly Thomas/Getty Images)

The Middleton family are an “anchor” for Prince William, who sees their family dynamic as the one he “wished he’d had growing up”, a royal expert has claimed. 

Prince William is believed to have a very close relationship with his wife Duchess Catherine's family, the Middletons. In April 2021, William and Catherine will celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary and it's thought that the Queen could be planning to mark this wonderful occasion in some way. 

Not only does this significant date mark the beginning of their married life together, but a decade since Duchess Catherine officially joined the Royal Family. This huge event also transformed the lives of Michael and Carole Middleton who are now parents to the future Queen. 

Throughout the years, the family has remained close and the Duchess of Cambridge took to Instagram on Mother's Day to celebrate Carole's role in her life, posting an adorable throwback picture. Whilst it's even been suggested that Michael and Carole Middleton could have a bigger influence on the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's children than the Royal Family in the future. 

Now royal expert Katie Nicholl has suggested that for both Prince William and Duchess Catherine, the Middleton family provides a sense of “normality”.

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What does Prince William think of the Middletons?

Royal expert Katie explained to OK! magazine: “The Middletons have always been that anchor for Kate and William.

“It’s a real sense of normality amid any chaos. William has always loved spending time with all the Middletons as it’s his escapism.”

Michael and Carole Middleton smile at the crowds following the marriage of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011 in London, England

(Image credit: Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)

She also spoke of how Prince William’s closeness to Carole and Michael Middleton could have helped shape the wider Royal Family’s relationship with his mother and father-in-law.

“He’s close to Carole and Michael and always insisted the royal family treat them well, which the Queen has done. She welcomed them with open arms”, Katie stated.

“William has found weekends away with them so relaxing. It’s a close-knit family and more than anything, they’re very normal. It’s the family dynamic he wished he’d had growing up and it’s how he’s trying to raise his own kids.”

How have the Middletons influenced Duchess Catherine's parenting style?

When it comes to raising their three children, Katie also discussed her belief that Duchess Catherine is keen to keep them “grounded” despite them growing up facing public scrutiny as members of the Royal Family. And it seems like Catherine's experience with her own family might have inspired her parenting style. 

“Kate knows the difficulties she may face as her children are in the public eye”, the royal expert said. “[B]ut she is focused on keeping them grounded, especially as her own family have kept her feet firmly on the ground.”

The Middleton Family has grown this month, with the arrival of Pippa Middleton’s second child - a little girl. Speaking of the joy the birth of her niece has brought Duchess Catherine in the aftermath of her brother-in-law Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Oprah interview, Katie revealed that “Pippa’s baby joy has been a welcome distraction for Kate after a difficult few weeks”.

“It’s really put a smile back on her face”, she stated.

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!