Kate Middleton Happily Held a Tarantula Named Charlotte
Aaand Prince William held a snake.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have had an eventful trip to Northern Ireland, to say the least. Kate Middleton donned the most amazing purple suit and navy pumps to visit Ulster University in Derry/Londonderry with her husband (who also wore a suit, but what else is new), and meet some students.
Something else they met? Why, a tarantula with the same name as their daughter, of course. But where I would have run a mile, Middleton flinched not one bit as she held the animal in the palm of her hand, a massive grin on her face. So she's not just a duchess, she's also a damn hero—whereas her husband smiled through gritted teeth, one safe step behind her, which seems more like it TBH. Sharing a photo of the moment on Twitter, they wrote, "A surprise guest appearance from Charlotte the tarantula."
Prince William didn't totally chicken out, though, as he got to handle a snake. Granted, he didn't exactly look at ease with the reptile, but like, he also didn't faint. Gotta celebrate the small wins.
During their tour of the university, Middleton also enjoyed a dainty half-pint of Guinness.
Posting photos from their visit on Instagram, the Cambridges wrote, "It's lovely to see @UlsterUni students reunited with each other on campus!
"Having spent the day hearing from the student union and being reconnected with nursing students from earlier in the year, it’s inspiring to see how young people are promoting inclusivity following the pandemic in Northern Ireland.
"@UlsterUni is continuing to develop a new generation of healthcare workers, including those doctors in the new School of Medicine, who will work in Northern Ireland and beyond once their studies are complete."
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
While in Derry/Londonderry, the couple also played some rugby and some soccer.
Related Stories
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Madison Errichiello Is the 'Love Is Blind' Season 8 Standout Who Left the Pods Single—But We Haven't Seen the Last Of Her
Fans already have thoughts on the love square between her, Alex, Mason, and Meg.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
Kylie Jenner Just Upstaged Timothée Chalamet at His Own Premiere
Valentine's Day came early for the couple.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet Will Likely Make Their Joint Royal Debut at this Event
Fans might have to wait a while.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince Harry and Prince William Share This Parenting Conundrum as They Honor Princess Diana
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex have found themselves in similar situations recently.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles Is Very Particular and Can “Lose His Temper” If Things Aren’t Done Right, a New Book Claims
And his temper has apparently been "inherited in different measures by Prince William and Prince Harry."
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Prince William Had a Heartbreaking Reason for Choosing His Childhood Dream Job
The surprising occupation had to do with his mom, Princess Diana.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Gave Queen Elizabeth a Hilarious Nickname Because He Couldn't Pronounce "Granny" as a Toddler
You'll never guess this one.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate are Skipping the 2025 BAFTAs Because of Their Kids
The royals are raising some eyebrows with the last-minute no-show announcement.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Opens Up About "The Hardest" Part of Grieving in Emotional Conversation
The Prince of Wales got candid about grief while visiting a charity with ties to his late mother.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Made a Heartbreaking Admission About His Childhood to Princess Kate After She Explained a Very Normal Activity
A new royal book reveals a "poignant" interaction between the couple.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate are Careful for Charlotte and Louis Not to Feel Like "Spares"
Royal expert Phil Dampier says the royals see Prince George as "first among equals."
By Kristin Contino Published