DUCHESS KATE IS The New Q ueen!
Inside the monarchy’s most dramatic twist yet as Queen Elizabeth II names Prince William and Kate Middleton king and queen
As usual, Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, looked flawless. Prince William’s wife was on in-law, Willem-alexander the the her Alexander er’s Oct. Netherlands finery. stylish Knot Queen 23 Tiara on Mcqueen She royal to hand Elizabeth accessorized help — for was and at a a Buckingham favorite dress state her decked Queen II, grandmother- welcome with dinner an of Máxima out the ice-blue her Palace — in King Lov- and late all of mother-in-law, to diamond-and-pearl belonged her by to William Queen Princess — Victoria. necklace and a Diana, century-old But that it given once was a royal much watchers smaller piece impressed: of jewelry Pinned that had to Kate’s with an left image strap of the was queen’s a diamond face. brooch Called the Royal Family Order of Queen Elizabeth II, the piece is bestowed upon certain royals who have proven their service. Explains a royals source, “From the queen’s perspective, Kate has gone out of her way to fit in with the family.” Which is why she’s poised to claim an even bigger honor. According to multiple insiders, the 92-year-old queen, whose health is in decline, has hand-selected her successors — and it isn’t her son Prince Charles, 69, and his second wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, 71. “She’d rather pass the throne to the new generation of royals, Kate and William,” says the royals source. “At the end of the day, the queen is a businesswoman who knows that in order for the monarchy to survive, it needs to be modernized with dignity.” Not to mention regal splendor. “This is going to top any previous coro- nation and royal wedding,” says a palace insider. “When you take everything into account, from security to private jets for world leaders, this coronation is going to be a $500 million event.” The queen feels Will and Kate are worth every penny. Not only are the pair, both 36, wildly popular with their subjects, the parents to George, 5, Charlotte, 3, and 6-month-old Louis don’t have the baggage that Charles and Camilla carry from their sordid affair decades ago. Nevertheless, the queen has started a civil war by leapfrogging over her own son ( just two weeks shy of his 70th birthday, no less) to choose Charles’ son and his bride. “Charles is furious, mainly because the whole situation hasn’t gone down well with Camilla,” says the royals source. “She always hoped to be queen consort. Not happening.”
THE QUEEN’S CHOICE
Camilla Back licly cessor. that continue named the in “It Commonwealth April, to nearly is offer Charles my the stability sincere got queen as her her wish will and suc- pub- wish. continuity erations one day and the for Prince will future decide of Wales gen- that should work started carry on by the my important father in 1949,” she said at Buckingham Palace. But in recent months, she changed her mind. For starters, she could no longer ignore the soaring popularity of her grandson and his wife. An Ipsos poll taken
of William he’s British been was undoubtedly citizens the favorite in helped 2018 royal. by found And his wife of seven years — a commoner! — who has grounded the monarchy and made it seem more accessible to the public. Like Diana, who was nicknamed “The People’s Princess,” Kate “has millions of fans who worship her,” notes a confidant.
THE FIGHT FOR THE THRONE
Of course, the monarchy isn’t a popularity contest. Indeed, William and Kate’s approval numbers are far ily, William and Kate have remained remarkably scandal-free. And even from like though happened ago, does and when other the Camilla’s the her he Charles’ public queen. was members only more still still affair, deciding “She affair than married remembers of was the as with two factor. very it royal to Camilla brought decades Diana angry fam- — Un- as when she found out about Charles shame upon the family,” says the royals not forgotten!” source. “She’s forgiven but William and Kate, on the other hand, “have always followed royal rules anything,” “They’re without also says both complaining the mature confidant. beyond about their years, intelligent and educated and understand what being a royal entails.” Namely, a lot of hard work and public appearances. Just months after giving birth to Louis in April, Kate has thrown herself back into a whirlwind schedule of royal events, such as a mental health summit in London on Oct. 9 and a photography exhibit opening at the Victoria and Albert Museum the next day. At both events, she easily mingled with attendees. Says the royals source, “The queen has seen how Kate has grown in confidence since becoming a duchess and admires her charm and charisma.” The couple’s boundless energy and ease helped convince the monarch she’s making the right decision. “Elizabeth thinks that Charles is too old to take on the throne,” says the family source. “It makes more sense for William to go straight to being king.” Camilla certainly doesn’t agree. “She has always loved the glitz and glamour that goes with being a royal and secretly dreamed of becoming the queen consort,” explains the royals source. “She has taken it personally that the queen has chosen Kate over her. To be honest, the queen doesn’t dislike Camilla, but she favors Kate.” Charles, who normally goes along with whatever Camilla wants, has been getting an earful from his wife. “She wears the pants in their relationship — what Camilla wants Camilla usually gets!” says the royals source. “She is pushing Charles to stand up for himself and fight for the throne. She wants him to confront his mother about the situation at Buckingham Palace.”
KATE WINS
But there’s nothing Charles can say that will change his mother’s mind. And now Kate is busy preparing for her new role. “She’s ner-vous, especially balancing family and royal life. But she’s still excited about what the future holds,” says the confidant, who adds that the personally. queen is guiding “Elizabeth her and and William royal sight training aides into are them what already and lies ahead.” giving spending them time inking prosper the smoothly ing Elizabeth After a confidant, and mistake. with 66 queen.” II and years knows William “She “that the on is monarchy things she’s certain,” and the not will Kate throne, mak- says will run as
Everyone except Charles ‘‘
and Camilla are thrilled about William and Kate ”
— A ROYALS INSIDER