Queen Elizabeth Advised Princess Kate on Headstrong Husbands

Kate Middleton sitting next to Queen Elizabeth, wearing a bright pink coat and hat — (Image credit: Getty Images)

Before Kate Middleton married Prince William, Queen Elizabeth stepped in with some words of wisdom, according to a new book about the future King and Queen's relationship. Written by the Mirror's royal editor, Russell Myers, William and Catherine shares some behind-the-scenes stories of the couple's relationship, including what happened when the future royal bride met with Queen Elizabeth on her own for the first time.

Prince William's engagement to Middleton was announced in November 2010, and per Myers, she met with the late Queen a month later to discuss wedding preparations. Kate was "understandably nervous" for her first one-on-one meeting with the late monarch, but according to the author, she needn't have worried.

"During the light buffet of tea and finger sandwiches, the Queen eschewed questions about the finer details of the production and instead looked to comfort the young woman she hoped would successfully shape the institution for the next generation," Myers wrote (via the Express).

Kate Middleton wearing a blue coat sitting next to Queen Elizabeth, both are laughing — Princess Kate and Queen Elizabeth are pictured in Nottingham, England in 2012.

Queen Elizabeth walking next to Kate Middleton in a garden, both in floral dresses — Queen Elizabeth and Princess Kate are pictured at the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show.

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William and Catherine

According to a former courtier, the late Queen gave her future granddaughter-in-law "words of encouragement" about becoming part of the Royal Family and advised her on how to "deal with ‘headstrong’ husbands."

In terms of their wedding, which was held on April 29 at Westminster Abbey, the late Queen "advised Catherine to not get too bogged down with the details of the guest list, telling her not to worry about how many people would be there," Myers wrote.

With a list of 1,900 guests, any bride—royal or not—would be feeling nervous, but the late Queen gave Kate some practical thoughts. "There were many she wouldn’t know and many she wouldn’t see again," Queen Elizabeth advised, per Myers.

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Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.