Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Style at Large
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career & Money
    • Health & Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food & Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex & Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes & Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes & Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • Nordstrom's Sale
    • Brushed Cashmere
    • Hopeful Books
    • Nice Talk
    • Airport Dressing
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    Royal Expert Suggests a "Rarely Seen" Relative Could Become Princess Kate's "Secret Support" When She's Queen

    The family member could "become a source of strength, hope, and optimism," according to an expert.

    Amy Mackelden's avatar
    By Amy Mackelden
    Published 4 August 2025 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Kate Middleton has long brunette wavy hair and wears a cream sweater and pearl earrings
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    Much like her husband Prince William, Kate Middleton has reportedly been preparing for her future role as queen for quite some time. Just as the Prince of Wales's reputation is exceedingly important for his future role, Princess Kate has developed a crucial rapport with the general public. Behind the scenes, the Princess of Wales is reportedly supported by the close-knit Middleton family. According to one royal expert, a certain member of Kate's family could step up and be her "secret support" once she becomes queen.

    According to the Express, Kate's "sister-in-law Alizee Thevenet could become a major support in her life once she takes on the role of queen." The outlet noted that the "rarely seen" relative, who is married to Kate's brother James Middleton, is ideally placed within the family to be a "secret support" once Prince William becomes king.

    James and Pippa Middleton with Alizee Thevenet walking in front of a lit Christmas tree in December 2024

    James Middleton, Alizee Thevenet, and Pippa Middleton in December 2024.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Royal commentator and psychologist, Dr. Arthur Cassidy, discussed the topic with Hello! magazine, explaining, "[Thevenet] potentially can learn the rudiments of negotiating her pathway into the Middleton family and hopefully becoming a source of strength, hope, and optimism to our future queen Princess Kate."

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    Cassidy also suggested that Thevenet's connection to her husband's mother, Carole Middleton, was crucial for establishing her place within the family. "[Carole] is always elegant and chic with a hint of mild sophistication, and the first impression made is a significant influence on how she interacts with Alizee, shaping the foundation of future high-profile and family gatherings," Cassidy told the outlet.

    James, Carole and Pippa Middleton and Alizee Thevenet cheering at a Wimbledon match

    Alizee Thevenet at Wimbledon with the Middletons.

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    Cassidy continued, "[There is] an expression of positivity and optimism about how [Carole] and also Michael, besides Catherine, Pippa, and James, will help facilitate Alizee into a new era of family cohesion and happiness."

    You may like
    • Princess Kate Middleton has long wavy brown hair and wears a black polo neck sweater with a brown blazer One Royal Has Become "Very Close" to Princess Kate
    • Pippa Middleton wearing a white dress and sunglasses at Wimbledon Pippa Middleton Could Be Offered One Future Role With Princess Kate
    • Prince William putting his hand on Princess Kate's back Prince William and Princess Kate Lean on One "Solid" Family Member

    Princess Kate's family has remained close throughout her time as a royal and is likely to remain supportive when she takes on her new role as queen in the future.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    The ultimate daily digest for women of power, purpose, and style.

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
    Explore More
    Princess Catherine Queen Camilla King Charles Prince William
    Amy Mackelden
    Amy Mackelden
    Social Links Navigation
    Weekend Editor

    Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.

    Read more
    Prince William putting his hand on Princess Kate's back
    Royals Prince William and Princess Kate Lean on One "Solid" Family Member
    By Kristin Contino
    The Royal Family stands on the Buckingham Palace balcony
    Royals Princess Kate's Ally Is Labeled "Most Well-Behaved Royal"
    By Amy Mackelden
     
     
    Queen Elizabeth wearing a pink coat and hat walking next to Princess Kate
    Royals Queen Elizabeth Admired One Important Aspect of Kate Middleton's Life
    By Kristin Contino
    King Charles wearing sunglasses and a tan suit
    Royals One Member of the Royal Family Keeps King Charles "Sane," Says Royal Expert
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Prince William wearing a camouflage jacket
    Royals Prince William Has Been on a Secret Fact-Finding Mission to Support Women
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holding hands and wearing dark coats
    Royals Prince Harry Says He's "Here as a Father" in Emotional Speech
     
     
    Marius Borg Hoiby wearing a black suit and tie
    Royals Queen Mette-Marit's Son Marius Borg Høiby Attacked at Royal Palace
    Princess Kate wearing a black coat and hat and a poppy pin
    Royals Jewelry Expert Weighs in on Kate and Camilla's Remembrance Sunday Jewelry
     
     
    Latest in News
    Prince William wearing a camouflage jacket
    Royals Prince William Has Been on a Secret Fact-Finding Mission to Support Women
    Hailey Bieber's New Balance 740 sneakers are discounted for Nordstrom's early Black Friday Sale
    Celebrity Style Hailey Bieber's New Balances Are Black Friday's Biggest Sneaker Sale
     
     
    Prince Harry and Meghan Markle holding hands and wearing dark coats
    Royals Prince Harry Says He's "Here as a Father" in Emotional Speech
    Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi wore '90s-inspired denim for their date in New York City
    Celebrity Style Kendall Jenner and Jacob Elordi Complement Each Other's "Cute Jeans"
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.