Kate Middleton is one of the most popular Royals in the world who frequently engages with the media, and yet there are a few things that not many know about her.
Making strides is an endeavor that Kate Middleton has achieved as a member of the British Royal Family. With bold fashion statements by donning clothes from some of the biggest fashion designers in the world, extensive philanthropic efforts, and an engaging personality in reminiscence to the late Princess Diana, the Duchess of Cambridge has established a rapport as one of the most popular Royalties in the world.
With the prospects of becoming the future Queen of England, there is a strong focus on Kate Middleton's life from the public sphere and the media as well, but there are some aspects of her life that not many people know about.
Kate Middleton's encounter with Prince William dates before 2001
It is a commonly held belief that the Duchess met Prince William in 2001 while she was pursuing her Master's degree in art at the University of St. Andrews, but Katie Nicholl, the author of the unofficial biography Kate: The Future Queen mentions to Katie Couric on her talk show Katie that they had met while she was studying in Marlborough college.
While their relationship flourished in St. Andrews, the Duchess met with her future husband through mutual friends during her sixth form. At that point in time, Kate was interested in pursuing her first love Harry Blakelock, a student who was a year above her. She maintained a relationship with him for almost a year until he 'broke her heart,' Nicholl notes.
The Duchess and Duke were roommates
Before they started dating, Kate and William shared a flat with a few friends. During the official engagement interview on ITV in 2010, Prince William said:
“No we moved in together as friends because we were living together, we lived with a couple of others as well, and it just sort of blossomed from there really. We just saw more of each other, and you know hung out a bit more and did stuff. So um yeah.”
As if it were fated, opportunities kept presenting themselves where they could interact and this eventually led to the development of mutual romantic interests for each other. According to Prince William, the mutual friends that they shared in the flat facilitated their bonding as they were able to have a great time together with everyone.
It took five years for the Duchess to be formally introduced to the Queen
It might be surprising for many that Kate hadn't properly met Queen Elizabeth II until 2008 during the wedding of Peter Phillips, son of Anne, Princess Royal, to Autumn Kelly, which was five years after the Duchess and Duke initiated their relationship. PopSugar reports that there were three instances where the Duchess and the Queen were in the same room prior to Phillips' wedding, but there weren't any interactions between them whatsoever.
On those occasions, which included their graduation from St. Andrews and Prince William's graduation from Sandhurst Military Academy in 2006, it is speculated that the Queen might've wished to reserve formal introductions to focus more on William's celebration of academic achievements. Following the introduction at the wedding, during the post-engagement interview, Kate notes that the Queen was 'very friendly.'
Crossing the English Channel was one of Kate Middleton's endeavors
The Duchess is known for her charitable efforts alongside her husband. In 2007 she joined The Sisterhood, an all-female dragon-boat crew that was set to race across the English Channel against an all-male crew for charity. One of her close friends from St. Andrews, Alicia Fox-Pitt invited her to join this event, and Kate took the position of the helmsman at the rear. Although she was committed to taking part in the event, Kate had to step back due to security risks and media scrutiny which made it very difficult for the crew to take part in training sessions. The public attention grew to a point where her lawyers made a statement against such a breach of privacy.
An homage to the Princess of Wales, Diana
Princess Diana was one of the most iconic Royalties in the world who won the hearts of millions all across the world with her humble nature, charitable work, and at the same time, unabashed and bold characteristics. In many ways, Diana set the precedent for the next generation of Royalties to follow, which includes Kate Middleton. In tribute to the late Princess Diana, the Duchess incorporated a blue ribbon into the interior of her dress in the same way the Princess of Wales had donned.
Read More:
⋙ Did you know? Kate Middleton was not the first of her family to spend time with the Windsors
⋙ Royal Family: Here are the 5 members that are next in line for the throne
⋙ Before she dies, Elizabeth II has a plan for Kate Middleton
