- Before Prince William and Kate Middleton tied the knot in 2011, Queen Elizabeth "went out of her way" to make Kate feel welcome with the royal family.
- According to royal expert and biographer Katie Nicholl, when the Queen first got a chance to really spend time with Kate during one of the royal family's trips to Balmoral in the summer of 2009, she broke royal protocol and gave Kate permission to take photos at the famed royal estate.
- In her book, Kate: The Future Queen, Nicholl points out that this was a "true gift to a photographer" and a "generous move on the part of the Queen."
These days, it's basically impossible to imagine the royal family without Kate Middleton, but back in 2009, it wasn't totally clear if Kate and Prince William were in it for the long haul.
That's why it was such a huge gesture when, that summer, Queen Elizabeth went out of her way to make Kate feel welcome with the royal family.
In her book Kate: The Future Queen, royal expert and biographer Katie Nicholl describes Kate's first Balmoral vacation with the royal family in the summer of 2009 and how Elizabeth made a huge exception to make her future granddaughter-in-law feel comfortable.
According to Nicholl, the trip marked the first time Kate had been invited to the main house at Balmoral while the Queen and Prince Philip were in residence and the press had jumped on the news, circulating unconfirmed reports that the Queen wanted to have lunch alone with Kate during the visit.
While the lunch remained unconfirmed, Nicholl did confirm another huge gesture Elizabeth made for Kate during the trip:
"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—a true gift to a photographer, with its turreted and Gothic-inspired architecture."
Nicholl also described why the gesture was even more meaningful than a standard breech of royal protocol (which is already huge, in and of itself):
"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. Now Kate was being granted an audience in a most intimate capacity. It was a generous move on the part of the Queen and an astute decision, given that the romance seemed to be very serious."
Astute, indeed.
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with more than 10 years of professional experience. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
I Work Out 5 Days a Week—These Are the Brands I Wear on Repeat
Sponsor Content Created With Nordstrom
By Emma Walsh Published
-
Princess Kate Will Be "Ready to Talk" About Her Absence When She Gets Back to Work, Source Claims
The Palace has released very few details about her illness and recovery.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate Was Allegedly Spotted Looking "Happy, Relaxed and Healthy" at a Farm Shop This Weekend
Anonymous onlookers provided this description to 'The Sun.'
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published