Kate Middleton reportedly had reservations about taking on the Princess of Wales title because she wanted to respect Princess Diana’s legacy while carving out her own place within the Royal Family.
Catherine received the title after her husband, Prince William, became the Prince of Wales following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022. However, she was conscious of the public’s enduring affection for Diana, who previously held the title.
Royal expert Russell Myers wrote: “Courtiers said that while Catherine had a full appreciation of the history associated with the role, she was determined to find her own path.”
He added that Catherine had privately shared her concerns with William and King Charles, knowing how deeply connected the British public remained to Diana even 25 years after her death.
“This tells you how considered she is,” Myers said. “She is benevolent with her intentions, but also wishes to carve out her own role for both herself and her family, which in many ways looks very different to how generations of royals have acted in the past.”
A former royal staff member also claimed that Catherine needed some convincing before accepting the title.
“She is very aware of the pace that she wants to progress and the way in which she sees her future role within the institution,” the former staffer said.
According to the source, Catherine eventually felt confident that she could handle the inevitable comparisons with Diana while approaching the role in her own way. She also wanted to show full respect for how Diana had established a distinctive position for herself within the Royal Family.
