Queen Elizabeth Had Major Advice for Kate Middleton on Dealing With ‘Headstrong’ Husbands
Royal author Russell Myers revealed that the late Queen warmly welcomed Kate Middleton and shared advice on navigating royal life.
Before marrying Prince William and learning the ropes of royal life, Kate Middleton was a commoner, understandably nervous about one day becoming queen. However, Queen Elizabeth is said to have helped calm her fears, offering words of encouragement ahead of the couple's 2011 wedding. Royal author Russell Myers revealed that during their private meeting, the late monarch not only warmly welcomed Middleton but also shared advice on navigating royal life and how to handle a sometimes headstrong husband.
In his new book, William and Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, Myers sheds light on the Queen's amazing sense of humor and warm personality. Per serialized excerpts published by the Daily Express, he penned, "In the car on the way over to Buckingham Palace, she [Catherine] adjusted her hair and touched up her makeup before being met by the [late] Queen's private secretary and taken to a room where afternoon tea had been laid out." He added that while the future Princess of Wales was 'undoubtedly nervous,' the Queen "eschewed questions about the finer details of the production and instead looked to comfort the young woman she hoped would successfully shape the institution for the next generation."
A former courtier quoted in the book also told the author how the late Queen offered Middleton some "words of encouragement" about her future role, as well as guidance on how to "deal with 'headstrong' husbands." The author continued, "In a lighter moment, the Queen also advised Catherine not to get too bogged down with the details of the guest list, telling her not to worry about how many people would be there. There were many she wouldn't know and many she wouldn't see again." The Queen and Middleton always shared a close relationship, regularly embarking on tea and walks together.
Likewise, royal editor Richard Kay has also spoken about how the Queen eventually grew fond of Middleton. In the Channel 5 documentary, Kate and The Queen: A Special Relationship, he explained, "I don't think she [Queen] really trusted anyone on first impression, we're all performing the same show, the show is supporting the Queen. But with Kate and the Queen, it grew deeper than that," noting that there was a real "grandmotherly affection between the two." Royal expert Ingrid Seward echoed the same, and added, "I think the Queen saw her [Kate's] strength and saw that she is a caring person who had this amazing affiliation to duty."
Seward revealed that the then-Duchess of Cambridge greatly appreciated the Queen's close attention. Reportedly, she grew even closer to the late monarch after the birth of her three children, making a special effort to include her in their lives. Their bond only grew when William and Middleton settled at Kensington Palace, allowing her and the Queen to catch up for private tea and regular walks. The experts stressed that it was the Queen's down-to-earth nature that allowed Middleton to transition from a commoner to a royal.
