Princess Catherine did NOT want to be compared to Princess Diana when she joined the royal family — so much so she almost refused to become the Princess of Wales!
In an excerpt from Robert Jobson‘s upcoming book Catherine, The Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen obtained by DailyMail.com last week, the author revealed that Prince William‘s wife was hesitant about the title. Why? Because of “stressful” comparisons to the late royal, who was the “People’s Princess” before dying in a Parisian car crash in 1997.
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Jobson wrote:
“She knew she’d inevitably be compared with Diana, whose untimely death had provoked such a tsunami of anger and grief. And she was right. The similarities and differences between the two women were dissected ad infinitum, and even discussed in the royal household.”
Oof. That would be challenging, especially at the start! Naturally, this impacted the new royal family member, he continued:
“Kate found all such talk stressful. Indeed, it got to the point where she felt she might follow Camilla (who opted to become Duchess of Cornwall) in refusing — when the time came — to be known as HRH Princess of Wales.”
Considering Camilla’s history with King Charles III, it would have looked shady AF for her to take on Diana’s title after her death — but for Kate, it ultimately was a very different story. When it was finally time for her to step into the new role in September 2022, she “accepted her promotion with good grace, out of respect for her husband and the King.” The book detailed:
“Enough time had passed to make the title more palatable, and Catherine had been on the world stage long enough to be appreciated for her own qualities.”
Plus, the author noted that the women are ultimately “very different,” pointing out:
“The truth is that she is very different from Diana: better educated, far more stable and less concerned about making a splash as a glamorous icon.”
Sorry, WHAT?! Damn, the shade against Diana here… WTF…
The author continued by explaining Kate’s level of privilege. The mother of three “enjoyed a secure and loving upbringing” while Diana “grew up in a broken home [and] lacked a foundation of security.” No matter what, the comparisons will never totally stop, but at least the 42-year-old has been able to pave her own path despite it all!
For the record, the heir to the throne was very aware of his wife’s struggle. During their engagement interview, Will said there was no pressure for his partner to be the “next Diana,” expressing:
“No one is trying to fill my mother’s shoes. It’s about carving your own future and your own destiny, and Kate will do a very good job at that.”
And she has — while still finding ways to honor the beloved royal, mostly through fashion choices. We gotta admit, it’s funny how Kate wanted nothing to do with comparisons to her late mother-in-law, and yet her sister-in-law Meghan Markle reportedly saw herself as (and wanted to be) the “new Diana” — or at least, that’s what another book has claimed. Two very different approaches if true…
Thoughts? Are you surprised she felt so strongly about this title at first?? Let us know (below)!
[Image via MEGA/WENN]
