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Princess Kate Opens Up About Her Biggest Struggle at Royal Events: ‘I Always Get Told’

Kate Middleton gets real about why big royal events aren’t easy for her, sharing a simple, relatable struggle she still deals with.

Kate Middleton shared a candid and relatable story on April 21, 2026, while attending a reception at Buckingham Palace celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday. While speaking to a group of women, the Princess of Wales opened up about a struggle she had been enduring at royal events.

Middleton admitted that during major events, busy settings can be tough for her, especially because she naturally speaks softly. “I find these environments are really hard,” she said in fan footage shared on X. “I've also got a very soft voice, so I always get told, 'Speak up a bit louder!'” Middleton shared. The Princess actually had that soft-spoken side since she was a kid, and she even once revealed her nickname growing up was “Squeak.” Her latest revelation actually ties back to something she has spoken about before. It is another royal “rule” she finds a bit hard to stick to.

In the 2016 ITV documentary Our Queen at Ninety, Middleton joked about the art of walkabouts, admitting she tends to linger a little too long while talking. “There’s a real art to walkabouts,” she said. “Everyone in the family teases me that I spend far too long chatting. I still have to learn a bit more and pick up a few tips, I suppose.” It is something that still shows today. Middleton is known for taking her time with well-wishers, often stopping for proper conversations, even if it means falling slightly behind the rest of the family. She did lag behind during Christmas walkabouts at Sandringham House in 2024 and 2025.

During the same event commemorating the late Queen, Middleton was seen making a sweet gesture to an elderly guest, 88-year-old widower Tony Gledhill. He had attended the event to honor his late wife’s wish, which was for him to visit Buckingham Palace and be part of a special royal occasion. When they spoke, the Princess did not hesitate and pulled him into a warm embrace. Previously, a friend called her a “big hugger” and told PEOPLE, “Kate's a big hugger. She is warm and friendly and greets everyone with a big hug and kiss. It comes naturally to her to be like that.” 

Middleton attended Tuesday’s reception at Buckingham Palace alongside Prince William, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne, Prince Edward, and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, all coming together to honor the life and legacy of Elizabeth. A lot of the guests were people connected to the late Queen’s charities. And then there were several centenarians who were invited too, all born on April 21, 1926, the same day as Elizabeth. Cake was served as a band played “Happy Birthday,” while Charles and Queen Camilla handed out birthday cards to mark the occasion.