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Privacy NoticeThe Princess of Wales is one of the most instantly recognisable women in the world, as well as one of the monarchy’s greatest assets, but any personal thoughts that stretch beyond the boundaries of her official role remain an enigma to many. We know she possesses a keen interest in early years development – to the point where she has become one of the leading voices in the field thanks to her research and the success of projects such as the Big 5 Survey and Shaping Us. But when it comes to areas of her private life, she is inscrutable.
The Princess of Wales has completely grown into her role
(Image: 2023 Mark Cuthbert)
The once-quiet and reserved Kate has been replaced by an assured, playful – and occasionally forceful – figure, commanding as much respect from the public as King Charles or Prince William could ever hope for. Kate certainly began her royal journey in Prince William’s shadow, and was shy at times. But as a mother-of-three and charity figurehead, her confidence has grown and she is now looked upon as a royal matriarch for the modern age. This expertly-manoeuvred rise is something which is richly deserved, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!, as she compared the way Kate uses her “soft power” to that of her husband’s great-grandmother, the late Queen Mother. Sign up to OK!’s royal newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Jennie compares the Princess of Wales to The Queen Mother
(Image: 2011 Tim Graham)
Jennie explained, “People always used to describe the Queen Mother as ‘steel in a velvet glove’. She was always charming, gentle and much admired. But, she was also the strength behind her husband, George Vl, and at the Palace her opinion counted. I think Kate has some of those same qualities. “She has learned the craft of being royal over a number of years and earned her place as a senior member of the family. Gradually, she has also earned the respect of the public and, I believe, of the rest of the family. We look at her now not just as William’s wife, but as our future Queen.” The royal’s strong influence as a matriarch was reinforced once more last week, when it was claimed that Kate, 41, was the steely driving force behind the memorable “some recollections may vary” statement made by the late Queen following Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021.
The Prince and Princess of Wales allegedly wanted to make it clear that they challenged Harry and Meghan’s accusations
(Image: Harpo Productions/Joe Pugliese v)
According to a new edition of Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind The Crown by Valentine Low, the first draft of the Buckingham Palace statement did not include the bombshell “recollections” phrase. It was Kate who is said to have been determined that the family protect its reputation by sending a clear signal that it challenged Harry and Meghan’s accusations. In the book, Low quotes one source who said, “It had a much milder version. The debate was, do you rise entirely above it and offer the olive branch of [Harry and Meghan being] ‘much loved members of the family’? Or is there some moment when you have to intervene and offer a view?”
The new book claims the Princess of Wales was the driving force behind the statement
(Image: Getty)
Both Prince William and Kate are said to have wanted the statement “toughened up”. The source added, “They were both of one mind that we needed something that said that the institution did not accept a lot of what had been said.” Once the phrase was added, it was the princess who, according to another source, insisted it remain. Low wrote, “It was Kate who clearly made the point, ‘History will judge this statement and unless this phrase or a phrase like it is included, everything that they have said will be taken as true.’ “She does not get as much credit as she should, because she is so subtle about it. She is playing the long game. She has always kept her eye on, ‘This is my life and my historic path and I am going to be the Queen one day.’”
The Princess of Wales was praised for her influence
(Image: Getty)
This revelation of Kate’s role in the now famous statement left many with little doubt of her influence. Jennie added: “I am not surprised to learn from Valentine Low that her voice was prominent in the debate about how to respond to Harry and Meghan‘s allegations. “She knew that the family’s reputation was on the line and, along with William, she wasn’t prepared simply to stand by and let that reputation be trashed. “I think people will admire her for resisting the age-old strategy of ignoring criticism, however damaging it can be.”Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnKate MiddletonQueen MotherRoyal FamilyPrince WilliamWilliam and Kate
