Queen Elizabeth II very much approves of Kate Middleton, and has done for years, apparently.
The monarch could tell straightaway that Middleton wasn't in it to become a duchess. "The thing about Kate is the Queen was impressed she adored and loved William for himself, not for his title," royal author Andrew Morton told OK! in a new interview.
The Queen was also apparently determined to help keep the Cambridges' relationship successful, after the marriage between Prince Charles and Princess Diana ended in betrayal and tragedy.
"She spends a lot more time supporting and nurturing the relationship between William and Catherine than she did with Charles and Diana," Morton explained. "It’s pretty clear she wasn’t going to make that mistake again. Everything that happened in [Kate and William’s] relationship was quite strategic, quite thought through, after a period of time."
The Queen learned a lot from the situation with Diana, and Morton believes she's determined to be open-minded as a result. "I think we’ve seen her gradually breaking free from the past," he said. "The monarchy to me now seems more of a relaxed institution than it’s ever been and I think that’s down to the Queen. There is still formality there, but it’s much more relaxed than it was 50 years ago."
Fellow royal author Tina Brown described the feeling that pervaded the Royal Family in the early 2000s in The Palace Papers. Their motto at the time was, "We don't want another Diana," Brown explained: They wanted to avoid her "explosive celebrity." And although the Duchess of Cambridge is widely adored, she and her husband have by and large made every effort to remain without scandal throughout their marriage—aided, no doubt, by the Queen's wise counsel.
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.
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 InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. 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.
-
21 Spring Essentials in Madewell, Banana Republic, and Shopbop's Flash Sales
Don’t let these can’t-miss sales pass you by.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
'Shōgun' Is a Masterpiece—Will There Be More Episodes?
With those ratings, never say never.
By Quinci LeGardye Published
-
32 Child Stars Who Have Aged Like Fine Wine
They made the notoriously bumpy transition to adulthood look easy.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
Princess Diana Revealed to a Royal Author the Real Reason Why Her Marriage to Prince Charles Ended Not Long Before She Died in 1997
And no, it apparently wasn’t Camilla Parker-Bowles.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Diana Told Queen Elizabeth Through Tears That Her Then-Husband Prince Charles Was “A Nightmare” and That She “Hated” Him, Royal Author Claims
Ingrid Seward’s new book examines the relationship between mother and son, Her late Majesty and her heir, Charles.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
How the World Is Reacting to Kate Middleton's Health News
World leaders and celebrities alike rushed to offer their sympathies to the princess and her family.
By Fleurine Tideman Published
-
Kate Middleton Carefully Chose the Day She Would Reveal Her Cancer Diagnosis
Friday is an important milestone for Kate and William's children.
By Fleurine Tideman Published
-
British Royal Lady Gabriella Windsor's Husband Has Died at 45
Lady Gabriella is King Charles' second cousin.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Kate Middleton Gave an Honest, Eight-Word Assessment About the First Time She Met King Charles
The King and the Princess of Wales—famously close to one another—are both currently hospitalized at The London Clinic.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Queen Elizabeth II's Childhood Drawing, Which Her Mom Called "Very Poor," Is Up for Auction
Savage.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Princess Diana Made a Sandringham Christmas Gaffe Because She and Prince Charles Didn't "Communicate Very Well," Commentator Says
Not great.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published