Kate Middleton and the late Queen Elizabeth II had a very special bond. When Kate first came into the royal circle, she needed some guidance, and the late Queen was there to support her every step of the way.
The Queen Took a Shine to Kate
The Princess was transitioning from Prince William’s college sweetheart into the royal fold, and the Queen developed a “grandmotherly affection” for Kate.
The Queen didn’t typically take a shine to people right off the bat, but with Kate, it didn’t take that long for her to “grow to trust” the young woman who was destined to become the future Queen.
Kate has a genuine sense of duty, and it showed in the spirited way she took to becoming a part of the royal family.
Royal expert, Ingrid Seward, commented,
“I think Kate really appreciated the kindness and attention the Queen had given to her, and she knew better than anyone how busy the Queen was. She put time aside to make Kate feel appreciated.”
Prince William and Kate were married in April 2011. Reportedly, after Kate gave birth to the Queen’s great-grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, she made it a point to make sure that her kids spent a lot of time with the Queen.
As Kate went from a commoner to a Princess, the Queen and Kate bonded over their shared love of the simple pleasures in life.
There were several instances when you could see the special relationship between them, such as in 2019, when the Queen and Kate made their first joint appearance in seven years.
Kate Never Wavered from Royal Protocol
The pair visited King’s College, London, to reopen the Grade II-listed Bush House. Kate and Her Majesty shared a blanket in the back of the car.
Kate always respected tradition in every situation and deferred to the monarch. Per royal protocol, even though Kate was in the closest position to exit the car first, she let the Queen get out first.
According to etiquette expert William Hanson, throughout the entire royal engagement, Kate had
“followed the royal book, as usual, to the letter.”
He also added,
“It was interesting to see that Kate wore a muted mid-grey dress, that at times blended into the surroundings, allowing the Queen to stand out and take the main focus.”
During a children’s sports event, which was held to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Kate and the Queen were spotted sharing a hearty laugh.
The Queen was making gestures with her arms, while Kate stood with a big smile as she laughed. Their shared sense of humor was always on display.
The two of them genuinely enjoyed each other’s company, and it showed. The Queen invited Kate to spend Christmas at Sandringham in 2011, and Kate had the daunting task of trying to pick out the perfect gift for her.
Kate Gifted the Queen a Simple But Meaningful Gesture
The Princess decided to use her grandmother’s chutney recipe and made a jar for Her Majesty. The following day, Kate noted that the jar of chutney was on the table.
It was a simple but meaningful gesture which the Queen greatly appreciated. Most people would likely try to purchase some extravagant gift, but Kate knew the Queen would much rather have something made with love.
On the day of Kate and William’s wedding, the Queen was practically giddy. Royal Biographer, Andrew Morton said,
“She had a sense that the future of the royal family, her family, was now secure. The monarchy was once again held in admiration and affection by the masses.”
The Queen also had great confidence in Kate as she was starting to take on royal engagements without William. After the Queen passed away in September 2022, Kate began wearing the late Queen’s jewelry as a tribute to her.
That is how Kate honors her now. She likes to wear a little piece of the Queen’s heart for royal engagements and special occasions. Not to mention, Kate definitely wears it well.
And as always, don’t forget to check back with Daily Soap Dish for all of the latest news on the royal family right here.
