The One Choice "Quiet and Bookish" Princess Kate Made at School, "Which Only Made Things Worse for Her," According to a Former Classmate

"Catherine's experience was sadly marred..."

Kate Middleton attends the book launch party of 'Time To Reflect' by photographer Alistair Morrison on November 28, 2007
(Image credit: Dave M. Benett/Getty Images/Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Princess Kate is a literal member of the Royal Family now, but her upbringing wasn't quite as glamorous. According to a new royal book, the Princess of Wales experienced "bullying" and was described as "quiet and bookish" when she was at school.

In the new royal biography, William and Catherine: The Monarchy's New Era: The Inside Story, royal expert Russell Myers discussed Princess Kate's disappointing school experience.

According to the royal author, "[P]upils who studied alongside her at the time have revealed that while many of the young girls at Downe House were subject to typically teenage taunts about their appearance or conscientious attitude to school work, Catherine's experience was sadly marred by groups of young girls who had already formed a bond, having attended the school from age 11 (Catherine did not join until she was 13)."

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The Princess of Wales during the Enthronement Ceremony installing Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury, at Canterbury Cathedral in Kent. Picture date: Wednesday March 25, 2026.

"Catherine's experience was sadly marred by groups of young girls who had already formed a bond."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

What should've been an exciting time in Princess Kate's life swiftly went downhill. As Myers shared, "Catherine's initial exuberance at joining one of the top schools in the country was quickly extinguished by feelings of being an outsider."

One of Princess Kate's former classmate's spoke to the royal author, sharing, "Looking back on it, it definitely was bullying." The classmate continued, "She was very quiet and bookish, and girls had already made their friendship groups, so it was harder for her to settle in."

The student alleged that one particular choice Princess Kate made at school inadvertently affected her negatively. "She also played different sports to what was popular at the time, like tennis and track over lacrosse, which only made things worse for her," the classmate said.

According to Myers, "Catherine's feelings of inadequacy were exacerbated when she failed to impress during a try-out for the lacrosse team. It was a doomed attempt at assimilation, mostly because she had never played the sport before."

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - MARCH 18: Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales view items related to Nigeria from the Royal Collection exhibition, in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle on the first day of State Visit by The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on March 18, 2026 in Windsor, England. President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu are conducting a historic State Visit to the United Kingdom, marking the first state visit by a Nigerian leader in 37 years and the first to be hosted at Windsor Castle. (Photo by Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty Images)

"She was very quiet and bookish, and girls had already made their friendship groups, so it was harder for her to settle in."

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Luckily, Princess Kate's parents were able to have her transferred to Marlborough College, where she reportedly thrived.

It's hard to believe Princess Kate was, at one point, fairly unpopular. Her royal role as the Princess of Wales has hopefully more than made up for the difficult period she experienced at school.

Amy Mackelden
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.