Robert Jobson says in his new book on Princess Kate that she could have followed in Queen Camilla’s footsteps and gone by a different royal title
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images; Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images
Kate Middleton considered not using the Princess of Wales title that was so closely associated with her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
According to an excerpt from Robert Jobson’s new book Catherine, The Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen, the author writes that Princess Kate considered “refusing” the royal title synonymous with her late mother-in-law when the time came one day. Jobson writes that Prince William’s wife mulled the weight of comparisons to the beloved “People’s Princess,” who died following a car accident in Paris in 1997 at age 36.
Robert Jobson writes in his new book Catherine, The Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen that after her wedding to Prince William, Kate was hesitant to take on the royal title synonymous with Diana, who died following a car accident in Paris in 1997 at age 36, when her husband became the heir to the throne.
“She knew she’d inevitably be compared with Diana, whose untimely death had provoked such a tsunami of anger and grief. And she was right,” Jobson says, per an excerpt published in the Daily Mail on July 26. The author adds the subject was even discussed among the royal household.
“Kate found all such talk stressful. Indeed, it got to the point where she felt she might follow Camilla (who opted to become Duchess of Cornwall) in refusing — when the time came — to be known as HRH Princess of Wales,” Jobson writes.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
Kate Middleton’s ‘Calming Influence’ Has Helped Prince William Become ‘Much Closer’ to King Charles, New Book Claims
When King Charles acceded to the throne in September 2022, however, Princess Kate “accepted her promotion with good grace, out of respect for her husband and the King. Enough time had passed to make the title more palatable, and Catherine had been on the world stage long enough to be appreciated for her own qualities,” Jobson writes in the text, which will be published in the U.S. on Aug. 6.
Lady Diana Spencer became the Princess of Wales when she married the future King Charles in 1981, and was known as Diana, Princess of Wales following their divorce in 1996. The Prince of Wales has been the traditional title for the male heir apparent to the throne since around 1301, and Charles was thought to be the longest-serving Prince of Wales in history before his accession in September 2022.
When Charles married the future Queen Camilla in 2005, his new wife opted to be known as the Duchess of Cornwall instead of the Princess of Wales out of deference to Diana.
When it came time for his engagement to Kate in 2010, Prince William honored his late mother by proposing with her famous 18-carat sapphire engagement ring from Charles. During their engagement interview, he stressed that there was no pressure on his fiancée to be the “next Diana.” “No one is trying to fill my mother’s shoes,” Prince William said. “It’s about carving your own future and your own destiny, and Kate will do a very good job at that.”
Every Time Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton Have Worn Princess Diana’s Jewelry
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth in Sept. 2022, King Charles used his first speech as monarch to announce that Prince William would take on the title of Prince of Wales, making Kate the new Princess of Wales.
When William and Kate, both 42, took on their new titles, a royal source told PEOPLE the couple was focused on “deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales over time.”
“The Prince and Princess of Wales will approach their roles in the modest and humble way they’ve approached their work previously,” the source said.
As Princess Kate embraced her elevated royal role as the Princess of Wales, a royal source told PEOPLE, “the new Princess of Wales appreciates the history associated with this role but will understandably want to look to the future as she creates her own path.”
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
Princess Kate often honors Princess Diana through fashion and even revealed that her heirloom engagement fits her perfectly.
“Same ring,” Princess Kate said during a walkabout in Wales in 2023. “And exactly the same — the same size.”
The Princess of Wales added that she was “honored” to wear the jewelry and said Princess Diana would have been a “brilliant” grandmother to her and William’s three children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
“We miss her every day,” Princess Kate said.
News
BREAKING: Liam Payne, former One Direction member, has diеd at the age of 31 following a reported balcony fall
Liam Payne, the upbeat native of Birmingham who once felt incredibly lucky to be a part of the X Factor phenomenon One Direction, has sadly passed away after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina….
SHOCKINGS: Rihanna Fell Into Crisis When Diddy’s Wife Sent Pictures Of Her Sleeping With Diddy To Asap Rocky
In a dramatic turn of events, rumors have emerged that Rihanna is facing a personal crisis following a scandal involving Sean “Diddy” Combs and his wife. Allegedly, Diddy’s wife sent compromising pictures of him with her to A$AP Rocky, Rihanna’s…
Kris Jenner BREAKS DOWN After Corey Gamble SNITCHED On Her In Court During Diddy´s Court Hearing
In recent weeks, allegations surrounding the death of Kim Porter have resurfaced, reigniting interest in her relationship with Sean “Diddy” Combs and the role of Cory Gamble, who has become a key figure in this ongoing investigation. Gamble was present…
Breakiпg пews: Accordiпg to detective Bayosi’s aппoυпcemeпt iп aп old photo of Diddy, he discovered Diddy holdiпg a pill aпd iпteпtioпally doiпg somethiпg to Kate Moss.
Iп a sυrprisiпg tυrп of eveпts, reпowпed detective Bayosi has made a stυппiпg aппoυпcemeпt regardiпg a loпg-forgotteп photograph of mυsic mogυl Diddy. The image, which has resυrfaced, reportedly shows Diddy holdiпg a pill iп a maппer that sυggests he was…
(VIDEO) Rihanna BREAKS DOWN @fter Drake L3AKS Their Tape | Files Restraining Order!
This happened to me. I didn’t cause this, I didn’t do it. This happened to me, and it can happen to anybody. There are a lot of women who’ve experienced what I did, but not in public, which made it…
Just Now: Justin Bieber Panics After New Party Footage Leaks.
Jυstiп Bieber Paпics Αfter New Party Footage Leaks: What Happeпed Jυst Now?.. Iп a sυrprisiпg tυrп of eveпts, pop seпsatioп Jυstiп Bieber is makiпg headliпes oпce agaiп. This time, the star is reportedly iп a state of paпic after footage…
End of content
No more pages to load