THE TOUGHEST DECISION OF HER LIFE
The title has seen a seismic shift in the young royal mum’s world
When William, Prince of Wales, revealed in his statement last week that he was grateful his wife Catherine had “20 years of guidance” from his grandmother, it was heavyladen with meaning. His words seemingly confirmed long-time speculation that Kate, 40, had enjoyed private princess tutelage from the monarch as the young commoner found her feet within the firm.
Our insiders say the bond grew so close between Kate and the Queen that the young duchess “was able to confide her fears and concerns about her future role”.
Recently, Kate was said to have grown increasingly nervous about becoming the Princess of Wales, given its connection to the late Princess Diana. “She worried there was no way she could live up to Diana, and she had wondered to both the Queen and William whether she should follow Camilla’s lead and not use the title,” a royal insider explains.
Last week, Woman’s Day learned via an exclusive source that in a bid to allay Kate’s fears, she was summoned for a final, poignant meeting with the Queen. A month before Her Majesty’s passing, insiders reveal that Kate took her three children to Balmoral to visit the Queen before she requested a private audience.
“She sat Catherine down and told her that she understood why she was anxious, but told her she couldn’t have imagined a better person to be by William’s side, carving out a new way forward for the title. The Queen asked Kate to promise her she would do it proud, and Kate accepted.” It was the ultimate gift to Kate, who, in her two decades of dating and being married to the future king, has never put a foot wrong.
Stepping straight into duty last week, the Prince of Wales spoke to the First Minister of Wales Mark Drakeford a day after his title change.
When speaking with him, William “expressed his and the Princess of Wales’ honour in being asked by His Majesty the King to serve the Welsh people. They will do so with humility and great respect,” Kensington Palace said in a statement.
“The prince and princess will spend the months and years ahead deepening their relationship with communities across Wales,” the palace continued.
While no details of their forthcoming trip have been released yet, the royal couple have been to Wales numerous times over the years, and it is expected an announcement of their first trip as Prince and Princess of Wales will be made in the near future.
‘She worried there was no way to live up to Diana’
LOUIS’ SWEET FAREWELL
The Princess of Wales broke the news of the Queen’s passing to her three children – and revealed that the youngest, Prince Louis, four, had a heartfelt reaction to his late great-granny. On the walkabout at Windsor Castle, Kate told royal followers, “Louis said at least Grannie is with great-grandpa now”, before reportedly welling up during the conversation.
PRINCE GEORGE – A KING IN WAITING
At just nine years old, Prince George’s life has changed entirely. Gone is the happy-go-lucky “Georgie” Cambridge, who had a small but innocent understanding of his destiny, and in his place is George Wales, who is moving closer to kinghood as the new second in line to the British throne. “He’s young, but he’s smart. When his great-granny died, George knew that meant many things for him all at once,” says a source. “George knew the Queen would be leaving them soon – no one hid that fact. That was why it was important for Kate to remain in Windsor while Wills jetted off to Balmoral. She wanted to be the one to tell him gently and give him a chance to ask any questions.”
It’s believed Kate and William have paused plans to move to Windsor Castle until things have settled for their children.