02 September 2023 , 04:55
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Princess of Wales Kate Middleton might be a regular fixture of the Royal Family these days, but believe it or not there was a time that wasn't necessarily a done deal – and it's all because of the Queen.
There was a time before Kate had settled down and turned her mind to the throne when she was something of a jet-setter who Her Majesty allegedly had concerns she may not have been Queen material. Writing in her 2010 book William and Harry, royal expert Katie Nicholl claimed: 'If she was not with William at Balmoral then the couple were skiing or holidaying on Mustique.
'Kate was there so often the press dubbed her "Queen of Mustique", a title that had previously belonged to Princess Margaret'. Britain was now in a recession and such frivolous displays of wealth were unpalatable to the Queen. While the rest of the world speculated that an engagement was on the horizon for William and Kate, the Queen believed an announcement should be postponed until Kate was settled in a career."
Kate has grown into a key player in the Royal Family – despite the Queen's initial misgivings (PA)In the book, Katie quoted a source who said: "It is Her Majesty’s opinion that if Kate is one day going to be William’s consort, then she needs a proper job.Swanning from one five-star holiday resort to another is not the prerequisite for a young woman possibly destined to be Queen."
Ms Nicholl goes so far as to claim Kate was "stung" by the Queen's words. Fortunately for everyone involved, Kate has proven to be an extremely popular member of the Firm and was by all accounts thick as thieves with Her Majesty by the time the monarch sadly passed away on September 8 2022.
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Indeed, it certainly seems the Queen's doubts were short-lived and before marrying William she was invited to spend some time at the Queen's Scottish retreat Balmoral. Keen for Kate to feel welcome, the Monarch then gave Kate a rare privilege. The Queen allowed Kate to take photos while at Balmoral, knowing how much she loved photography.
The monarch also went on to regularly lend Kate Middleton jewellery, and was reportedly a major part in expanding Kate's royal duties in the years before she passed away.