Kate and Pippa Middleton – the truth exposed
AS THE BIG DAY DRAWS NEAR, THE DUCHESS MAKES A SURPRISE DECISION
The Duchess of Cambridge has made the shock decision to pull out of sister Pippa’s wedding party, in a surprise move that’s left the Middleton family stunned.
While many have been quick to assume that rising tension between the sisters led to Kate’s announcement, friends tell New Idea this couldn’t be further from the truth.
It’s since been revealed the duchess is desperate to ensure she doesn’t steal Pippa’s thunder during her sister’s May nuptials to billionaire James Matthews, 41 – which has been dubbed the ‘wedding of the year’ – so she’s chosen to gracefully bow out of any official duties.
‘During dinner at Pippa and brother James’ house a couple of weeks ago, Kate announced her decision to not be in the bridal party,’ says a Middleton family friend. ‘Kate knows that if she was a bridesmaid, the whole wedding would be about her, and Pippa won’t get a look in. She knows how important this day is to her sister and how Pippa has planned her fairytale wedding her whole life.
‘The thought of taking any attention away from the bride on her special day just doesn’t sit well with Kate, so she made the gracious decision to walk away from any formal responsibilities. There’s no drama about it – just a kind decision from a loving sister.’
Friends of the 35-year-old duchess reveal how she made the decision with husband Prince William, 34, after a few lengthy discussions about how to approach the big day.
‘The truth is, Kate knows what it’s like to have someone else upstage you on your wedding day,’ says the source. ‘More than 300 million people watched William and Kate walk down the aisle together, but all talk was about Pippa and that dress, and that bum!
‘Kate wasn’t angry because it was her dream day and everything was perfect, but it was a little awkward and left her a little upset.
‘She doesn’t want the same thing to happen to Pippa – she just wants it to be her perfect day. Kate has already told Pippa she’s planning to wear something very plain, arrive via the back entrance and keep photo opportunities to a minimum.’
Another factor in Kate wanting to walk away from any formal responsibilities at Pippa’s May 20 wedding is her ‘morbid fear’ of public speaking. While she is happy to step up and speak at her charity functions and official royal events, she has been dreading the thought of doing a speech at Pippa’s wedding.
‘Kate really doesn’t love being the centre of attention,’ says the source. ‘She might be the future
Queen of England, but she likes to keep her family separate from her public profile, and this makes her very nervous.
‘She also knows that James’ troublemaker brother Spencer is the best man, and she’s worried he will be frightfully inappropriate and drag Kate into some sort of embarrassing banter. She’d rather just avoid that risk – especially seeing as there’ll be other royals there.’
Kate’s decision to pull out of Pippa’s wedding party comes after two years of rumours that Pippa has ‘turned’ on her older sister. Sources reveal Pippa’s ‘jealousy and bitterness’ over Kate’s fairytale life has led to tension between the pair. But with the 33-year-old’s dream wedding just weeks away, the drama has died down.
‘This is going to be the wedding of the year,’ says a source. ‘Everyone who’s anyone will be there, and all of London’s high society is clamouring for an invitation.’
The only sticking point is Harry’s request to bring girlfriend Meghan Markle to the wedding as his date.
‘The fact that he and Pippa have history is one factor, but all cameras will be on Meghan and Harry if they turn up together and she’s not happy about that,’ says Pippa’s pal. ‘She’s trying to find a polite way to ask Harry to be discreet with Meghan attending, or maybe come alone – but it’s awkward to say the least.’
‘The truth is, Kate knows what it’s like to have someone else upstage you on your wedding day’