Kate Middleton Reportedly Felt "Isolated and Abandoned" After Comments William's Friends Made About Her Mom
When Kate Middleton was dating Prince William, she reportedly struggled with negative comments Palace officials and Will's friends made about her mom.
- These days, it's hard to imagine the royal family without Kate Middleton, but back when she and Prince William were dating, at least some royal insiders reportedly didn't think she was a "suitable" match.
- When Will and Kate split briefly in 2007, reports suggested that comments Will's friends and courtiers had made about her mother, Carole Middleton, contributed to their breakup.
- "William's upper-crust friends would ridicule Carole's former career [as a flight attendant] by sneeringly whispering 'doors to manual' when Kate was out of earshot," the Mirror reported at the time. "And courtiers claimed the brunette was unsuitable for William as her mum did not speak in a posh enough way."
Kate Middleton is pretty much the epitome of a royal, but during the early days of her relationship with Prince William, not everyone thought she was royal material, apparently.
According to the Mirror, Kate felt "isolated" at the time because of "snobby jibes" that Palace officials and friends of William were making about her mom, Carole Middleton. In fact, back in 2007, the Mirror even reported that these comments had "helped sink her relationship" with Will when the couple briefly split.
Apparently, the "jibes" were often about Carole's former career as a flight attendant, of all things.
"William's upper-crust friends would ridicule Carole's former career by sneeringly whispering 'doors to manual' when Kate was out of earshot," the Mirror reported at the time. "And courtiers claimed the brunette was unsuitable for William as her mum did not speak in a posh enough way."
"Put bluntly, the Queen seems to like Kate's father, Michael, but the courtiers sense that there are big question marks over the mother," a royal source told the Daily Mail in 2007. "She is pushy, rather twee and incredibly middle-class. She uses words such as 'Pleased to meet you,' 'toilet' and 'pardon.'"
In the words of Cher Horowitz: Way harsh, Tai.
Even in the midst of the couple's breakup, however, royal sources made it clear that William had always gotten along with his future mother-in-law—even if people in his inner circle weren't fans.
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.
"William got on well with Carole. He liked flopping down on the sofas in their Berkshire home, enjoying the normality of that," a second source told the Mail. "The Queen was fond of Kate and liked her father, but let's just say there was a feeling that Mrs. Middleton was not right or acceptable."
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. 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.
-
The Most Over-the-Top Celebrity Weddings of All Time
From million dollar engagement rings to exclusive, lavish venues, these celeb weddings will make your jaw drop.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Kacey Musgraves Pushes the Horse Girl Agenda With Reformation
The singer designed an affordable, equestrian-themed capsule.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
Prince Harry Is Set to Return to the U.K. in Under 2 Weeks
We can likely expect a short trip.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
All About Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Rarely-Seen Cocker Spaniel, Orla
The pup made a surprise appearance in the princess's cancer update video.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Meghan Markle Wasn't Cropped Out of Prince Harry's 40th Birthday Post by the Royal Family
Royal sources refuted allegations of a Buckingham Palace snub.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William and Prince Harry "Unified" After the Death of Their Mother Princess Diana
"Please, please remember, don’t ever forget that you’re brothers."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince William Secretly Helped a London Food Bank Get Back on Its Feet
The food pantry was robbed on Sept. 8.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Secretly Visited a New Helicopter Base After Hinting He Wants to Fly Again
The Prince of Wales reportedly "surprised people at the event."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William Hates Playing Card Games With the "Fiercely Competitive" Middleton Family
"William would flinch at our ruthless determination to win at all costs."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Princess Kate Was "Influential" in "Softening" Prince William's Approach to Old "Grudges"
"Perhaps she has persuaded William that life is too short."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
James Middleton Shares the Low-Key Way He Found Out Sister Kate Was Engaged to Prince William
"Did he deserve my sister? He had to earn my trust."
By Kristin Contino Published