Kate Middleton admits Royal Family teased her over habit
Kate Middleton admits the Royal Family teased her over her habit
Kate Middleton Admits Royal Family Teased Her Over Early Habit She Had to Break
Despite being one of the most beloved members of the Royal Family — with 72% of Brits viewing her favorably, according to recent polls — Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, has revealed that she wasn’t always so polished in her royal duties.
In a candid moment, Kate admitted that during her early days as a working royal, she had a habit that drew gentle teasing from other members of the Royal Family.
The now 43-year-old Princess confessed she initially struggled with posture and head positioning during public appearances and formal engagements, often tilting her head too much when greeting others or during photo ops. It was a habit, she says, that prompted lighthearted jabs from senior royals, who encouraged her to adopt a more traditional and composed royal demeanor.
"I used to get teased for it — I always tilted my head a little too much," Kate reportedly told aides, noting that it took her a while to adjust to the constant cameras and formal expectations.
Over the years, Kate has grown into the role with grace and confidence, now widely praised for her composure, poise, and ability to connect with the public, often compared to the late Princess Diana in both approach and popularity.
Her journey from royal girlfriend to future Queen Consort has included not just public scrutiny but also personal growth and adaptability, making her one of the most respected figures in the monarchy today.
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Kate Middleton Reflects on Early Royal Teasing and Learning the “Art of Walkabouts”
Before she became the poised and polished Princess of Wales admired by millions, Kate Middleton was once a shy schoolgirl and royal newcomer who had to learn the ropes — including how to master one of the monarchy’s most public duties: the royal walkabout.
As a boarder at Marlborough College, Kate was known as a “quiet girl” with “little confidence” according to former classmates and teachers. However, her kind nature and ability to adapt helped her form a close circle of friends. In fact, her yearbook even named her the “Person most likely to be loved by everybody” — an early hint at the public affection she would later earn as a senior royal.
Kate's natural warmth continued to shine through in her early royal life, though not without a learning curve. In an interview marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday, the princess recalled a moment when her in-laws gently teased her about a habit she had to break.
"Everyone teases me in the family that I spend far too long chatting," Kate said with a smile, referring to her first solo engagement with the late Queen:
"The most memorable engagement for me, I suppose, was an away day to Leicester, and I went without William, so I was rather apprehensive about that... I think there is a real art to walkabouts."
Walkabouts — public meet-and-greets that became a hallmark of the Royal Family starting in the 1970s — are a cornerstone of modern royal engagement. They allow royals to connect with the public beyond formal receptions and official events. Though there’s no rigid rulebook, etiquette expectations—such as proper posture, timely greetings, and keeping conversations brief—are part of the role.
The late Queen Elizabeth was said to have personally guided Kate through many aspects of royal life, including these public appearances. The two shared frequent teas, and the Queen’s mentorship helped Kate transition smoothly into her role.
From her early days as Prince William’s university sweetheart at St Andrews to becoming one of the most respected senior royals today, Kate’s journey has been marked by quiet growth, grace under pressure, and a willingness to learn—even if it meant speeding up her small talk.
During the high-profile royal wedding of Crown Prince Al Hussein of Jordan and Princess Rajwa in 2023, Kate Middleton once again demonstrated the same natural charm and warmth that have endeared her to the public, echoing comparisons to the late Princess Diana.
As she and Prince William joined the long line of dignitaries and royalty offering their congratulations to the Jordanian couple, Kate was spotted happily chatting for longer than expected, momentarily veering from the informal yet well-understood protocol of keeping conversations brief during such events.
This wasn't the first time Kate had been gently reminded of her tendency to get engrossed in conversations. While royal walkabouts and formal greetings typically come with unwritten rules—no selfies, minimal personal contact, and brief interactions—Kate’s genuine interest in people often leads her to linger longer, much to the delight of fans and onlookers.
Despite the constraints of royal protocol, the Princess of Wales manages to walk the fine line between formality and approachability. Her dedication is especially remarkable given her active role as a mother to three young children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—while still undertaking over 100 public engagements each year.
Kate's small "rule-breaking" moments, like lingering in conversation. don’t seem to bother anyone too much. If anything, they serve as a reminder that behind the tiara is a genuinely warm woman who still values real connections in a very public role.
That sweet moment between Kate Middleton and three-year-old Lily-Rose Logan perfectly encapsulates what has made the Princess of Wales so beloved by the public: her genuine warmth, relatability, and spontaneous humanity, even amid formal royal duties.
As the royal convoy prepared to leave after a busy schedule of engagements in south Wales—including a heartwarming visit to Tŷ Hafan children's hospice and Corgi Hosiery, a local sock manufacturer—Kate did something truly memorable: she broke royal protocol by unexpectedly jumping out of her car to greet the small crowd gathered nearby.
Little Lily-Rose had been calling out “Hello princess!” in the hopes of catching Kate’s attention—and it worked. Kate ran over to greet the star-struck child, who was overcome with joy and awe. She even asked the Princess with wide-eyed wonder: "Are you a real princess?"
Kate's joyful response and heartfelt interaction with Lily-Rose highlight her deep connection with children, a quality that has defined many of her engagements. Her natural maternal instinct, coupled with her work in early childhood development, makes these moments feel sincere rather than staged.
Earlier that day at Tŷ Hafan, Kate participated in crafts and painting handprints with young patients—echoing a similar gesture by King Charles, who once made his own handprint as patron. Despite undergoing cancer treatment, Kate was visibly at ease, showing that her “slow and gradual” return to duties is being handled with care and purpose.
Kate has never hidden the fact that the royal role hasn’t always come easily to her. During a visit to St Katherine’s School in Bristol, Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes shared that Kate spoke candidly about the struggles of fitting in, public speaking, and growing into her royal responsibilities—humanizing a life that, from the outside, can appear picture-perfect.
Even at grand international events, such as the Jordanian royal wedding, Kate's down-to-earth demeanor has stood out—so much so that Prince William was seen gently signaling her to wrap up a lengthy chat with the bride and groom to keep the line moving.
Whether it's making a young child’s day, admitting her own vulnerabilities, or simply staying longer to connect with someone, Kate Middleton continues to prove that real grace comes from empathy, not just etiquette.
