Kate Middleton Was Once Mistaken for Prince William's Personal Assistant ― and Her Response Was Priceless
If there is one thing Kate Middleton excels at, it is defusing potentially awkward situations with lighthearted humor and quick wit.
A major reason Kate Middleton and Prince William are so beloved is their ability to let their hair down and embrace lighthearted humor. Through witty banter and quick-thinking jokes, the couple has managed to carve out a distinct space in the hearts of the public. A perfect example of this unfolded when an elderly woman mistook the Princess of Wales for the Prince's assistant, prompting a hilarious response from the future Queen that remains memorable to this day.
In 2020, Middleton and William visited the Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff to meet the residents there, including the infamous Joan Drew-Smith, who had previously gone viral due to her blunt criticism of their royal bingo-calling skills. When the Prince of Wales was introduced to her, he playfully reminded her of the critique, saying, “Hello Joan, do you remember we did the bingo with you? You said we weren't very good!” True to form, Joan replied curtly, “Yes. You did a bloody s****y job.”
Because the visit took place during the height of COVID-19 protocols, the royal couple were wearing face masks, which made communicating with the elderly residents a challenge. The then-Duke of Cambridge acknowledged difficulty, noting, “We have to wear masks because of the virus, but it's difficult to hear sometimes when you can't see someone's mouth.” Whether it was a genuine misunderstanding caused by the masks or just Joan being herself, she later pointed directly at the Princess, asking William, “Is that your assistant?" sparking a classic moment that royal fans still revisit today.
In any other scenario, the blunder might have been considered a serious transgression given Middleton’s standing as the future Queen. But in a characteristic display of grace and wit, she instantly diffused the tension with a sharp response, placing a hand on her husband’s shoulder and laughing, “Well, I am your assistant! I have been for a long time!”
It is not every day that the royals get to experience such unfiltered interactions, which is likely why the Prince of Wales was so fond of Joan. “I love Joan, she's brilliant. If only everyone were as honest as she," he later remarked. Not just this instance, but the Waleses have continued to deliver humorous, unscripted moments over the years, including a lighthearted encounter with a royal fan last year in Glasgow. The fan called out to Middleton, saying, “You're beautiful!” before quickly adding, “You too, William!” The couple chuckled at the sudden compliment, with the Prince replying, “You don't have to say that. Don't worry”.
Middleton and William’s humor is what connects them to different generations, from senior citizens to children. Despite their royal titles and inherently distant positions, their willingness to embrace lighthearted moments keeps them deeply relatable to the public.
