Prince William’s Friend Reveals the 'Little' Gestures He Makes to 'Encourage' Kate in Her Royal Role
Only a few royal couples have withstood the test of time quite like the Prince and Princess of Wales, and it seems the secret to their enduring bond lies in their 'little' gestures. According to Dame Mary Berry, the legendary baker who has known Prince William for years, his instinctive warmth and thoughtfulness extend well beyond the public stage, especially when it comes to his wife, Kate Middleton.
In a recent conversation with the Daily Mail, the 90-year-old reflected on her long association with the royal family, describing William as a ‘wonderful man,’ one who leads by example. “He slept on the streets, you know,” she recalled, referring to the Prince’s night spent raising awareness for homelessness, much like his mom, Princess Diana. “He wants to find out about how everybody is in the country. He lives for all of us. I admire him. He sets an example,” she gushed.
But what struck Berry the most, beyond his devotion to public service, is his loyalty to his wife. She detailed how small gestures of reassurance from William once helped Middleton navigate the pressures of royal life. “There’s always a little arm around the back, encouraging her,” she stressed. “Early on, when she started doing public life, he would chip in and say something really nice and encouraging, you know? He’s obviously immensely proud of her.”
Berry’s admiration probably stems from familiarity. The Prince of Wales has known her for more than a decade through their shared work with Child Bereavement UK, a charity that is close to both of their hearts. It’s also a connection rooted in shared grief, as Berry once shared, she and William understood each other’s pain on a very personal level. “Prince William lost his mother at a very vulnerable age, and we lost our son, aged 19, in a car accident. So, we both know what it is to be without someone very special,” she said in an old interview.
This friendship has continued throughout the years. In 2019, Berry joined both William and Middleton for her BBC special A Very Berry Christmas, where the couple showcased their lighter side. Berry later joked that she couldn’t possibly pick a winner between their culinary creations, diplomatically declaring them 'equally delicious.'
The warmth clearly runs both ways, as earlier this year, when Berry marked her milestone 90th birthday, William sent a heartfelt video message that nearly brought her to tears. “You are a true national treasure,” he said, adding, “We’ve loved working with you over the years. Have a fantastic day — though I dread to think who’s cooking your cake and the criticism they might get!” Berry watched the adorable clip, struggling to hold back her tears as she saw the clip play on BBC's The One Show.
To Berry, humanity is what defines their appeal. “They give us — well, they give their life to all of us,” she recalled, summing up the couple’s sense of duty.