Kate Middleton: Building a strong “shield” before joining the royal family
Kate Middleton and Prince William announced their engagement in 2010, with the future King telling the world his wife's 'terms' in early 2015
Kate Middleton, upon her Royal induction, didn’t just nod along to tradition; she set her own terms. Palace insiders revealed that early in 2015, Prince William delivered her ‘terms’ to the Queen and Prince Charles.
The world watched as Kate and William’s engagement went public in 2010, complete with the romantic tale of William’s proposal in Kenya, armed with his mother Diana’s ring. In an ITV interview, he shared, “my way of keeping [my mother] sort of close to it all”.
Fast forward to 29 April 2011, and Kate’s life transformed within the walls of Westminster Abbey, London, England. Her entry into the Royal Family brought not only a title but a hefty slate of Royal duties.
Yet, Kate wasn’t about to take on her role without setting some boundaries. Royal author Robert Jobson, penning ‘Catherine, the Princess of Wales: The Biography’, reveals that Kate established key stipulations before embracing her Royal journey.
In 2015 she had William deliver her terms to the Queen and Prince Charles ( Image: Samir Hussein/Wireimage)
Jobson writes in MailOnline: “Before joining ‘the Firm’, she wisely established some fundamental rules. She wouldn’t be pigeon-holed into carrying out particular duties and insisted on eventually having her full quota of maternity leave, away from the glare of the media and public.”
Kate Middleton, according to Mr. Jobson, made it clear to the senior royals that her priority was to strike a balance between fulfilling Royal duties and nurturing a happy family life. “This didn’t mean that she wouldn’t carry out royal duties; far from it,” he stated. “But she wanted to offer her patronage only to charities close to her interests and delve into their purpose with in-depth study.”In early 2015, when Kate was pregnant with Charlotte, Prince William presented these ‘terms’ to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles on her behalf. He explained that she desired more room to grow into her role and required additional time to adjust to the peculiarities of Royal life.
Since then, Kate has more than risen to her responsibilities as a senior Royal and a full-time devoted mother to her three children. She is recognized for her role as a peacemaker between her husband and King Charles, with their relationship significantly improving due to her gentle interventions.
When asked in her first engagement interview if she was nervous about stepping into the shoes of the late Diana, the former Princess of Wales, Kate responded with a “yes,” However, since assuming the role, it’s evident that she has made it uniquely hers and left her distinctive mark on her part of the monarchy.
