Kate Middleton may have married Prince William for love, but her dedication to her royal duties makes it seem like she was born for the role. Like her mother-in-law, Diana, she may take over as “People’s Princess.”
Before she married the future King, Kate Middleton had an ordinary life. Born to Michael and Carole Middleton in 1982, Middleton was an all-around child.
She was hardworking and grew up learning to do everything to perfection. She could sail, cook, rock climb, and ski as a young girl. Other activities she perfected were playing the piano and tennis.
She also did not compromise on her education and joined Marlborough College to study Biology, Chemistry, and Art and even captained several school sports teams. In 2001 she joined the University of St. Andrews, where she met her future husband.
Initially, they were friends, and by the sophomore year, they became housemates, sharing a four-bedroom flat with two other friends and frequently walking to classes together.
It was not long before William started developing an attraction toward Middleton, as fate would have it. They started dating but were in no hurry and took their time to get to know each other. As Laura Warshauer, who shared a dorm room with them, would tell People:
“Whenever Kate was in the room, Will was obviously paying attention to her.”
KATE IS ‘PEOPLE’S PRINCESS’ LIKE DIANA
The couple continued dating for the better part of their time at university, surprisingly managing to keep their relationship low-key. Unfortunately, in 2007, after William got stationed with the Household Cavalry, the pair split up.
While they both acknowledged the breakup, William insisted they were both trying to find their way, while Middleton shared that despite not being happy about it, then, in retrospect, it helped a great deal. She shared as Express reports:
“At the time, I wasn’t very happy about it, but actually, it made me a stronger person. You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadn’t realized.”
Unlike most, Middleton remained level-headed throughout their 10-week break, staying quiet about their relationship problems and never once talking to the media.
How she handled herself during the rollercoaster of her breakup with the prince would eventually lead to her being the Queen-in-waiting. Kinsey Schofield, founder, and creator of ToDiForDaily.com, told Express.com:
“It made Kate a no-brainer — she was the future Queen.”
A ROYAL WEDDING
Middleton and William’s love story is the perfect example of a real-life, modern-day fairy tale. After getting back together following their high profile split in 2007, William proposed three years later, at the foothills of Mount Kenya, with his mother’s ring. Middleton showed off her ring to reporters shortly after her engagement, saying:
“It was William’s mother’s, so it’s very special.”
Six months later, the pair married at Westminster Abbey in London in one of the world’s most publicized weddings, and by default, Middleton became a member of the royal family.
Today, the couple is deemed the “future of the monarchy” and seen as the key to a modern Royal Family. Away from being a royal marriage, the union also carried plenty of significance to Middleton.
Born a “commoner” with no ties to nobility, it was indeed a break in tradition for William to choose Middleton as his bride. And even more critical is that William’s ability to “marry for love” rather than status is considered an influence of his late mother, Princess Diana.
Diana opened the doors for her sons to marry for love as it was evident what marrying for status did to her and Prince Charles. Ms. Schofield said:
“I think she [Princess Diana] had a really positive effect on future marriages within the monarchy.”
Please do not be mistaken. Despite Middleton’s character off the bat, transitioning from a loving girlfriend to the future Queen was no easy feat, and she has had to work her way up.
However, Middleton’s mom, Carole, is grateful that William waited ten years to marry her daughter. Still, reports also claim that William had first to be sure that Middleton could handle royal duties before marrying her. Carole would tell Page Six:
“He was absolutely sure she could handle it before they married. She was trained.”
KATE IS LIKENED TO DIANA
Initially shy, Middleton has now come out of her shell and has grown as Duchess of Cambridge. Her willingness to remain in the background gave her time to know herself and master her role.
In staying reserved, she sharpened her ability to get along with people and is very good with people of vast ages, young to old, just like Diana was. The Telegraph reports:
“The Duchess, naturally, has been endlessly compared to Diana….all have led to whispers of a new ‘People’s Princess.”
Middleton’s future at the heart of the Royal family was once a distant prospect; in no time, Middleton will eventually inherit the most considerable title — The Queen.
Those close to her say she is ready to take on the burden of duty awaiting her, and there is no reluctance in how she wants to carry out her duties. She has grown in her role alongside William and, as an insider would tell The Telegraph:
“They have found their niches, they enjoy what they do, and are happy in their work.”
KATE HAS KEPT THE ROYAL FAMILY FROM ‘CRUMBLING’
According to the author of “The Palace Papers,” Tina Brown, the monarchy’s future would have long fallen apart had it not been for the generous contribution of the Duchess. Page Six reports:
“The future of the British monarchy rests on the ‘slim shoulders’ of Kate Middleton.”
Middleton is the only woman of her caliber, educated, modern and beautiful, that would be willing to commit herself to the severities of the institution, and if she, like Meghan Markle, decided to up and leave, the monarchy would be in trouble. Brown mused:
“It would… crumble at the moment without her because she’s the only modern, beautiful woman who’s well-educated, substantial in herself….”
The model for Middleton’s work over the next decade is transparent: an all-encompassing focus on the critical topic of early childhood development, which she believes can be her lasting legacy.