Marrying into the Royal family can’t be easy, but Kate Middleton was reassured by the acceptance she received from the late Queen Elizabeth before her death.
Prince William and Kate tied the knot on April 29, 2011, after first meeting at the University of St Andrews in 2001. The Queen made extra efforts to make Kate feel welcome, including inviting her to Balmoral and allowing her to photograph the breathtaking scenery, according to royal expert Katie Nicholl.
While this may seem trivial to some, it’s not typically done, Nicholl explained. Kate’s initial invitation to Balmoral came when she first started dating her future husband.
It’s likely that Kate felt anxious during her early visits to the estate, but the Queen was determined to make her feel comfortable, granting her a rare privilege. In her book, Kate: The Future Queen, Nicholl wrote: “Until now the Queen had met Kate only fleetingly at the wedding of Peter and Autumn Phillips, but she went out of her way to make her feel welcome, giving her permission to take pictures at Balmoral.”
Queen Elizabeth was very kind to Kate Middleton
This invitation to Balmoral signified the Queen’s readiness to welcome Kate into the inner Royal circle. Nicholl stated: “As a woman who has lived her entire life in the public eye, the Queen rarely lets her guard down, and very few apart from her family and closest friends get to see the real Elizabeth.”
Since that initial visit, Kate has frequently visited the royal’s Scottish Highlands retreat. In 2019, William and Kate were photographed arriving at the Sunday church service with the Queen.
Meanwhile, Kate has shared a previously unseen photo she took at Balmoral, giving fans a glimpse into the late Queen’s final weeks surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The touching photo, taken by Kate in the summer of 2022 at the estate, shows the late monarch on a sofa surrounded by young royals.
Savannah Phillips, the eldest daughter of Peter Phillips, and Mia Tindall, holding her brother Lucas, are seated next to her.
Marrying into the Royal Family undoubtedly brings its own unique challenges, but Kate Middleton’s journey was significantly eased by the warm acceptance and kindness she received from Queen Elizabeth II, even in the earliest days of her relationship with Prince William.
The bond between the late Queen and the future Queen Consort grew from the beginning. Prince William and Kate, who met at the University of St Andrews in 2001, officially tied the knot a decade later, on April 29, 2011. Yet, even before their engagement, Queen Elizabeth took deliberate steps to make Kate feel at home within the royal circle. Royal expert Katie Nicholl has shared that one of the most significant gestures was inviting Kate to the Balmoral estate—an invitation not extended lightly to outsiders.
For Kate, the initial invitation to Balmoral, the Queen’s private residence in the Scottish Highlands, was both a privilege and an indication that she was being accepted into the inner sanctum of royal life. In her book Kate: The Future Queen, Nicholl detailed that the Queen had only briefly met Kate at Peter Phillips’ wedding but went out of her way to make her feel comfortable. One particularly notable gesture was granting Kate the rare permission to take photographs at Balmoral, a place where such privileges are rarely offered.
This early invitation to Balmoral, an estate cherished by the Queen, was symbolic of her efforts to welcome Kate as part of the family. Nicholl explained, “The Queen, being a woman who lived her life in the public eye, rarely let her guard down, but the invitation was a sign that she was ready to embrace Kate into the royal fold.”
Kate’s frequent visits to Balmoral in the years since have cemented her place within the family. The Duchess of Cambridge was often seen at Balmoral with Prince William and Queen Elizabeth, including at the Sunday church services during their visits to the Scottish Highlands.
In a touching gesture, Kate herself has offered glimpses into the Queen’s personal life through photography. One particularly poignant moment was a photo Kate took at Balmoral during the summer of 2022, just weeks before the Queen’s passing. The photo, which was later shared with the public, captures a candid and heartwarming scene of Queen Elizabeth surrounded by her great-grandchildren, including Savannah Phillips, Mia Tindall holding her younger brother Lucas, and other young royals. This photo stands as a beautiful tribute to the Queen’s final months, showcasing her deep love for her family and the joy she found in their company.
Through gestures of warmth and inclusion, Queen Elizabeth’s relationship with Kate Middleton was one of quiet support, ensuring that the Duchess felt welcomed and loved as she embarked on her royal journey.
