Kate Middleton Almost Didn’t Take the Princess of Wales Title

She wanted to respect her late mother-in-law.

Following in her mother-in-law Princess Diana's footsteps, Kate Middleton has become a much-beloved member of the royal family. However, there was a time when the idea of filling Diana's shoes was much too intimating for Kate, so much so that she considered not using the title of Princess of Wales.

"In marrying the elder son of Prince Charles, Catherine was aware she'd one day have to tread in her late mother-in-law's footsteps—but the prospect of becoming the Princess of Wales held little appeal," royal expert Robert Jobson wrote in his new book, Catherine, The Princess of Wales. "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. The similarities and differences between the two women were dissected ad infinitum, and even discussed in the royal household."

He continued: "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."

Upon King Charles III's ascension to the throne in 2022, Prince William inherited his father's titles of Duke of Cornwall and Prince of Wales, which are traditionally passed down to the heir to the throne. Kate took on the courtesy titles of Duchess of Cornwall and Princess of Wales. However, she did have the option to not use the Wales title publicly, as Queen Consort Camilla did after marrying Charles in 2005.

Jobson explained that by 2022, Kate felt enough time had passed to make Diana's title more "palatable." She officially became the first royal to use the title since Diana tragically passed in a car crash in 1997.

In his first speech as monarch, Charles proudly introduced the couple with their new mantles. "With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground, where vital help can be given."

Jobson added, "Catherine had been on the world stage long enough to be appreciated for her own qualities."

These qualities have been recognized far and wide. Paul Burrell, Diana's former butler, even shared that Kate has "never put a foot wrong," and offers a sense of stability, strength, and grace. He noted that if Diana were still alive, she would be enamored with Catherine.

“I see the way she [Kate] dresses and the way she behaves, and if her mother-in-law could say anything, she would tell her that she’s doing an incredible job,” Burrell shared. “The country adores her.”

Although Kate and Diana never had the pleasure of meeting, the current Princess of Wales has honored Diana on many occasions. Last month, while attending Wimbledon, Kate wore a purple tea-length dress that paid homage to her mother-in-law.

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