The late Queen came to truly trust the Princess of Wales and the pair shared a “grandmotherly bond”, experts said in a new documentary.
The Princess of Wales, 42, who married Prince William in 2011, saw her husband’s grandmother as a ‘guide’ when she joined the royal family.
Speaking on Kate & The Queen: A Special Relationship airing on Channel 5 on Saturday, Daily Mail editor-at-large Richard Kay explained how the pair ended up with a special bond.
‘The queen came to trust Kate. I don’t think she really trusted anyone on first impression, we’re all putting on the same show, the show is supportive of the Queen.
“But with Kate and the Queen it was deeper than that, there was a real grandmotherly affection between the two of them.”
Ingrid Seward, a royal expert and editor of Majesty magazine, echoed her comments, adding: “I think the Queen saw her strength and saw her as a kind person who had this incredible affiliation with duty.”
The late Queen came to truly trust the Princess of Wales and the pair shared a “grandmotherly bond”, experts said in a new documentary. The couple is photographed at Buckingham Palace in June 2022.
“I think Kate would have greatly appreciated the kindness and attention the Queen had given her, and she knows better than anyone how busy the Queen is. She took the time to make Kate feel appreciated.”
Kate is believed to have formed a stronger bond with the Queen after welcoming her three children – Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – and went to great lengths to involve His late Majesty in the lives of children.
Speaking in the Queen at 90 documentary in 2016, Kate said: It’s very special that we have a new baby girl in the family. It’s very lucky that George has a little sister. The Queen was really excited that she was a girl and I think as soon as we got back to Kensington (Palace), she was one of our first visitors here.
“I think he is very fond of Charlotte and is always aware of what she is doing. George is only two and a half years old and calls her ‘gan-gan’. She always leaves a small gift or something in her room when we come and stay and that shows, I think, his love for his family.”
The Queen was also said to have been a guide to Kate after she married a member of the Firm.
“The Queen was acutely aware of how daunting it was for an outsider to join the royal family, so they would have had their techniques to make someone look at home,” added Channel 5 royal correspondent Simon Vigar.
Royal expert Victoria Murphy added that Kate always described the Queen as “a gentle guide.”
Kate with the Queen on the balcony of Council House, Nottingham during the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK, 13 June 2012
Kate with Prince Louis and the Queen on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping the Colour, June 2019
‘From the beginning, Kate had a lot more in common personality-wise with Elizabeth.
“They have something that gives them that inner poise and the ability to lead and command respect,” he added.
Telegrpah royal correspondent India McTaggart added: “Catherine has said that the Queen was very supportive of her as she undertook her first engagements without William, I think she influenced her by leading by example.”
Speaking in 2016, Kate explained that the Queen was not “forceful in her views”.
“The most memorable engagement for me, I suppose, was a day out in Leicester and I went without William, so I was quite worried about that. I think walks are a real art, everyone makes fun of me in the family because I spend too much time chatting, so I think I still have to learn a little bit more and learn some more tips I guess.
The couple appear on Queen’s Diamond Jubilee tour of the UK.
‘She was a great support. The fact that she took the time to make sure I was happy and cared for for that particular occasion, which is probably a very small element in everything she’s doing, shows how caring she really is. .’
Many observers believe William and Kate are modeled after the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, who were married for 73 years until their deaths in April 2021.
In 2016, Kate spoke about her special bond with the Queen.
“You would expect a lot of grandeur and a lot of fuss, but actually what really resonates with me is his love for simple things,” he said.
And I think that’s a special quality. I remember being at Sandringham for the first time at Christmas and worrying about what to get the Queen.
“I was thinking, ‘God, what should I give him?’ I thought, ‘I’ll make him something,’ which could have gone horribly wrong, but I decided to make my grandmother’s chutney recipe. The next day I realized it was on the table. Such a simple gesture helped me a lot.”
Kate & The Queen: A Special Relationship, Saturday, June 15 at 9:00 p.m. channel 5