Why Princess Kate Was Always Seen as the ‘True Queen in Waiting’ Within the Palace, Not Camilla
Since her marriage to Prince William, Kate Middleton has been a great stabilizing force for the royal family. From a Duchess to a Princess, and now the Queen in waiting, Palace insiders have always appreciated her for the same. In fact, those within the royal circle reportedly see Middleton as the ‘true Queen,’ a figure who embodies grace, discipline, and calm authority.
Grant Harrold, who served as King Charles’s butler for seven years, remembers seeing the quality early on. Back when Middleton was still dating William, he said, her presence was unmistakable. “That girl was a Queen in waiting in every aspect,” he recalled. “She’s the perfect Queen material… Everything about her — the way she carried herself, the way she spoke, her kindness, her beauty.” While past generations of royal women brought charisma and heart, Middleton’s strength lies in her composure, the ability to bring calm when others might bring chaos. A Palace source, comparing her to Princess Diana, said, “The late Princess had heart and charisma, but Kate brings composure and quiet strength. That’s exactly what the monarchy needs now.”
The remark aligns with how many within the royal household now view her. Courtiers reportedly believe she is Diana, “without the chaos.” Another insider described her as the family’s “steady hand and moral compass.” The late Queen is known to have admired her for her restraint, Charles respects her judgment, and William, by all accounts, depends on her completely.
Even before she became a royal, Middleton carried herself with a kind of unassuming warmth. Harrold remembered her at Highgrove as a 22-year-old guest who made everyone feel comfortable. “She never made people feel beneath her,” he said. And that composure was on full display during the state visit, which saw the royal family host President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. Middleton completely stole the spotlight, and she was well aware of that. She seamlessly went through her first major public engagement since resuming royal duties after her cancer treatment.
Royal biographer Ingrid Seward told PEOPLE that Kate was acutely aware of the attention but handled it with trademark ease. “She was very aware that the most important person there was the King,” Seward said, adding, “But she can’t help that all eyes are on her.”
During the banquet, that attention was magnified when a clip of Donald’s speech went viral. While thanking 'the Queen,' the President looked at Middleton, rather than Queen Camilla. The brief moment sparked a social media frenzy. If his slip-up caused any discomfort, Middleton didn’t show it. By all accounts, she was “animated and happy,” laughing through the evening and easing the pressure in a room full of formality. “She lightened the whole evening,” Seward said. “She lit up the table with a megawatt smile.”