Back in 2010, as well as the nerves and excitement of her upcoming royal wedding to contend with, the now-Princess of Wales also had the pressure of a private meeting with her husband-to-be’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II.
While, of course, the pair had met several times with other members of the royal family present, it wasn’t until a “casual meeting” was set up by Her Majesty that Kate had met with her on a one-to-one basis.
During the meeting, which royal author Russell Myers, discusses in his new book, William and Catherine, The Monarchy’s New Era: The Inside Story, the Queen was met by a very nervous Kate.
“Although billed as an informal catch-up, it was the first time Catherine had met the monarch on her own, and she was understandably nervous. Even though Catherine had by now met the Queen on several occasions, she sought advice from aides on what to wear and say during the meeting,” he wrote.
Adding: “In the car on the way over to Buckingham Palace, she adjusted her hair and touched up her makeup before being met by the Queen’s private secretary and taken to a room where afternoon tea had been laid out.”
Advice for the future Queen
Russell explained that the Queen had asked to be kept up to date with the wedding preparations, but also used the time to pass down pearls of wisdom from her 70-year-long marriage to Prince Philip.
Russell wrote: “But during the light buffet of tea and finger sandwiches, the Queen eschewed questions about the finer details of the production and instead looked to comfort the young woman she hoped would successfully shape the institution for the next generation.
© Getty Images“According to one former courtier, the Queen offered words of encouragement to Catherine regarding her future role as a senior member of the family, as well as guidance in how to deal with ‘head- strong’ husbands. William had a reputation among his staff and family for being down to earth and thoughtful, preferring to be addressed by his first name instead of His Royal Highness or Sir, but he could also be direct and plain-spoken when he wanted things done a particular way.
He continued: “The Queen’s husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, was similarly forthright, and so she was well placed to advise Catherine; after all, her marriage had lasted more than 70 years, with a fair bit of compromise required as a foundation.”
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