When Kate Middleton married Prince William in April 2011, the world watched on as she lived out her very own fairytale
The couple said their ‘I dos’ in a regal ceremony at Westminster Abbey, attended by everyone from the late Queen Elizabeth to Britain’s other first family, the Beckhams.
But while marrying William came with many expected formalities — from gaining new titles, job roles, and of course, her position as future Queen — what Kate may not have signed up for was a bizarre request from her in-laws, the then-Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
According to royal expert Christopher Andersen, Charles and Camilla asked Kate to change her first name.
Kate, whose birth name is Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, was reportedly approached by the current monarchs to switch the spelling of Catherine from a ‘C’ to a ‘K.’
In his new biography, Kate! The Courage, Grace, and Power of the Woman Who Will Be Queen, Anderson says that Camilla thought having three names beginning with C (Charles, Camilla and Catherine) was ‘overkill.’
Anderson explained that Camilla felt the change was a ‘logical progression’ because the world already recognised her as ‘Kate.’
However, the royal source claimed that Kate was ‘offended’ by the suggestion at the time, while her husband, William, was ‘fuming.’
William found the idea ‘insulting,’ not only to his wife, ‘but to her entire family,’ Anderson alleged.
With the future King famously being very close with his in-laws, especially Kate’s mum Carole – who he’s described as being like his ‘other mother’ on multiple occasions – it’s likely the saga was quickly shut down.
Grant Harold, who worked as a butler for Charles from 2004 to 2011, told Marie Claire that the Middleton matriarch has been a great source of support to the future King.
As his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales’ mother, William has known Carole since the early 2000s, when the pair first started dating as students at Scotland’s University of St Andrews.
Harold recalled: ‘William always had a good relationship with both Kate’s parents, but especially her mother, Carole.’
Adding that the Middletons are a ‘warm and welcoming family,’ Harold noted that William has always looked to Carole as a ‘second mother.’
‘He would speak to her when anything worries him, and if he wants advice or guidance.’
Anderson’s biography isn’t the only book where this awkward moment is mentioned. Prince William’s younger brother, Prince Harry, also spilt the tea in his explosive — and bestselling — 2023 memoir, Spare.
Harry recalled that upon hearing the suggestion of a name change, he looked at William, whose ‘face was blank.’
‘I wondered now what came of that suggestion,’ he added, after noting that Kate retained the spelling of her name.
In the last few years, Kate and Charles’ bond has reportedly grown stronger than ever, as both royals experienced a cancer diagnosis and treatment at the same time.
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Too much damas for the royals
They are too controlling