The late Queen Elizabeth II and Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, had an extremely close and enviable relationship prior to the monarch’s passing in September 2022. But the Queen was reportedly quite judgmental about some of Kate’s antics while she Prince William were dating – and wasn’t afraid of telling her grandson’s girlfriend what she thought about her, and giving her some invaluable advice for her future!
The Queen Reportedly Told Kate Middleton To Take Fewer Vacations And Get A 'Proper Job'
According to royal expert Katie Nicholl's 2010 book, William and Harry: Behind the Palace Walls, as per the Independent, the late Queen Eliabeth II was concerned about the number of vacations her grandson's new girlfriend was taking a few years before their engagement.
Kate was reportedly fond of visiting the Caribbean island of Mustique, part of the country Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with Nicholl writing: "If [Middleton] was not with William at Balmoral then the couple were skiing or holidaying on Mustique." Nicholl went on to write that "Kate was there so often the press dubbed her 'Queen of Mustique,' a title that had previously belonged to Princess Margaret," in reference to the Queen's younger sister, Princess Margaret.
The Queen reportedly then suggested that she make fewer visits to Mustique – and take fewer vacations in general – and instead, spend her time doing something more worthwhile, perhaps even getting a "proper job."
Kate was of course no stranger to hard work, as she previously worked as an accessories buyer for the clothing brand Jigsaw Junior. However, the constant press attention she was getting as Prince William's girlfriend made the position too difficult to hold and she left in 2007. She then worked on the marketing for the events supplies company, Party Pieces, which was run by her parents Carole and Michael Middleton.
The Queen Was Reportedly Also Concerned About 'Frivolous Displays Of Wealth'
The Queen was also reportedly concerned about the message Kate jetting off to sunnier climes would send during the 2008 recession, with Nicholl writing, "Such frivolous displays of wealth were unpalatable to the Queen."
"While the rest of the world speculated that an engagement was on the horizon for William and Kate, the Queen believed an announcement should be postponed until Kate was settled in a career," Nicholl added, which is perhaps why Prince William waited until 2010 to finally pop the question.
A source close to the royal family reportedly told Nicholl: "It is Her Majesty’s opinion that if Kate is one day going to be William’s consort, then she needs a proper job." Nicholl wrote that Kate "swanning from one five-star holiday resort to another is not the prerequisite for a young woman possibly destined to be Queen." Nicholl said that the Queen’s words "stung" the now Princess of Wales – although it seems like Kate took the sovereign's words on board. Just look at her now!
