While Catherine looked calm, deep down she knew marrying into the royal family meant everyone would compare her to Princess Diana. The constant watch on her life took a toll on her.
When Prince William went down on one knee to propose to his wife, Catherine Middleton, it was one of the least things she expected. The two were in Kenya on a holiday, visiting friends, and the proposal came as a surprise.
Prince William and Kate Middleton posing for photographs during the announcement of their engagement in the State Apartments of St James Palace on November 16, 2010, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
In a past interview following their engagement, Catherine recalled the moment, stating, “We were out there with friends and things so I really didn’t expect it at all.” The proposal was special for William who had been planning it for a while.
A close up of Prince William’s watch and Kate Middleton’s engagement ring during the announcement of their engagement in the State Apartments of St. James Palace on November 16, 2010 in London, England | Source: Getty Images
He gave Catherine his mother’s sapphire and diamond engagement ring and it fit her perfectly. She later stated that the ring was the same size and she was honored to wear it.
A close up of Kate Middleton’s engagement ring during the announcement of their engagement in the State Apartments on November 16, 2010, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
But while Catherine found herself betrothed to her charming prince, she knew a great responsibility lay ahead. She was aware that one day, she might be expected to follow in Princess Diana’s footsteps.
Prince William and Kate Middleton posing for photographs during the announcement of their engagement in the State Apartments of St James Palace on November 16, 2010, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
In the 2010 YouTube interview following their engagement, Catherine was asked about the pressure of marrying into the royal family. The question specifically highlighted the fame of William’s mother and if she found that intimidating.
Prince William and his wife Catherine during an interview posted on November 17, 2010 | Source: YouTube/@OnDemandNews
Her response was she felt calm about it and inspired by the royal family’s achievements. William, sitting beside Catherine, supported her response. He explained that Catherine didn’t feel pressured to fill his mother’s shoes. Instead, she was focused on shaping her own path and future.
Despite this, the idea of becoming the Princess of Wales was still not particularly enticing to Catherine. She knew from the start that comparisons with Diana were inevitable.
Comparison between the weddings of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales to Lady Diana Spencer and Prince William to Catherine Middleton. | Source: Getty Images
She had every reason to be concerned since discussions about the similarities and differences between them were endless, even within the royal household. Catherine found the constant scrutiny “stressful.”
Prince William and Catherine Middleton exchanging vows during their wedding at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011, in London, England | Source: Getty Images
At one point, she even considered following Camilla’s example and choosing not to use the title of HRH Princess of Wales when the time came.
Queen Camila and Catherine, Princess of Wales visit The Prince’s Foundation for Children and the Arts at Dulwich Picture Gallery on March 15, 2012, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
However, in the end, she embraced the title with grace, out of respect for her husband and the King. By then, enough time had passed to make the title more acceptable, and Catherine had been in the public eye long enough to be valued for her own unique qualities.
Catherine, Princess of Wales at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 14, 2024, in London, England. | Source: Getty Images
Despite the comparisons, the most fundamental difference between Diana and Catherine lies in their childhoods. Diana, coming from a broken home, grew up without a strong sense of security.
A picture of three year old Lady Diana, taken from her family album at Park House, Sandringham. | Source: Getty Images
In contrast, Catherine enjoyed a happy and stable upbringing. Now, she’s dedicated to giving her three children a similar nurturing environment.
Catherine, and Prince William stand with their children during Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee celebrations, in London on June 2, 2022. | Source: Getty Images
For Diana, she was much younger when she entered the Royal Family. She was known for her strong-willed and emotional nature—a trait her son, William seems to share.
Diana Princess of Wales at a dinner given by President Mitterand in November, 1988 at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France. | Source: Getty Images
One key to William’s successful marriage is Catherine’s calming presence. She has been an instinctive peacemaker, helping to improve William’s relationship with his father.
Prince William and King Charles III on September 14, 2022, in London, United Kingdom. | Source: Getty Images
According to a senior source, in recent years, William and his father have become much closer. The source mentioned that William respects his father’s dedication to service. At the same time, he feels that his father’s focus on work had a negative impact on their father-son relationship during his upbringing.
A photo of Prince William and King Charles as they walk to St. George’s Chapel to partake in Garter Day, the 660th Anniversary Service, on June 16, 2008, in Windsor, England. | Source: Getty Images
Just like his father King Charles III, William continues to show his leadership skills when it comes to his royal duties. Recently, he surprised the public after he reportedly dismissed a key figure from his payroll.
A netizen’s comment on Prince William’s move to remove Annabel Elliot from the payroll, posted in July 2024 | Source: Facebook/peoplemag
Prince William has reportedly removed Annabel Elliot, Queen Camilla’s sister, from the Duchy of Cornwall’s payroll, surprising netizens. According to The Telegraph on July 24, Annabel has been the estate’s interior designer since 2005, working under King Charles III’s direction on various royal properties.
Annabel Elliot chats with Queen Camilla as she and King Charles III open a new visitor’s centre and cafe at the Duchy Nursery in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, on July 12, 2011 | Source: Getty Images
The 75-year-old interior designer’s departure comes as William begins to shape the estate’s management in his way. The latest Duchy accounts show she wasn’t paid for her services in 2023-2024, marking the end of nearly two decades of work.
Queen Camilla and Annabel Elliot at the Chelsea Flower Show on May 21, 2007 | Source: Getty Images
The report repeated a statement from the Duchy’s 2024 annual report, which covered Charles’s last six months managing the estate and William’s first six months after inheriting it following Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
The Duchy is a private estate that provides income, and funds the official and private activities of the Duke of Cornwall and his family. This place was established in 1337 by Edward III to support his son, Prince Edward, and is governed by specific charters and laws.
The estate is managed with a focus on sustainability and community benefits, aiming to preserve it for future generations. The current Duke of Cornwall, William, does not have access to the estate’s capital and pays income tax on the profits it generates each year.
Prince William visits James’ Place Newcastle in Newcastle upon Tyne, England on April 30, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Along with its historic significance, the Duchy offers luxury holiday cottages in period buildings across Cornwall, Wales, and the Isles of Scilly. Designed by Annabel, these interiors blend antique and modern styles, using recycled materials like glass bottles for light fixtures and old chests for coffee tables.
The estate emphasizes eco-friendliness, using green electricity and renewable energy heating systems. It also promotes sustainable tourism that supports local economies and communities.
William’s decision to remove Annabel from the Duchy’s payroll has drawn mixed reactions from netizens. One user commented, “Charles put her on the payroll she wouldn’t have been interior designer if it wasn’t for her sister and I’m glad Prince William took her off payroll [sic].”
Prince William talks to staff at the Milton Keynes Blue Light Hub in Buckinghamshire on October 11, 2023 | Source: Getty Images
Not everyone was aware of Annabel’s role, with some expressing surprise. “So he should, didn’t know she was on the payroll,” one netizen said.
Despite being removed from the Duchy’s payroll, Annabel remains active in royal projects, including recent renovations at Balmoral. However, her company, Annabel Elliot Limited, has reportedly faced financial challenges, with a noted decline in assets over recent years.
