Queen Elizabeth grew increasingly anxious about the public nature of Prince William and Kate Middleton’s romance.
Sept. 29 2025, Published 3:45 p.m. ET
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Concerns Over Holidays and Public Image
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According to sources, Elizabeth advised William to hold off on proposing to Kate until she established a solid career.
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Between their graduation from St Andrews in 2005 and engagement in 2010, Prince William and Kate Middleton often vacationed together.
While they enjoyed public adoration, sources reveal Queen Elizabeth, who passed away in 2022 at age 96, was concerned about Kate’s lack of a stable job and the public image painted by their frequent holidays.
“The Queen always found Kate lovely but expressed doubts about what of consequence she was doing,” shared an insider.
“Seeing them retreat to ski resorts or sunbathe in Mustique during economic downturns left her unsettled. She believed this behavior could harm their public image and thought Kate should be engaged in meaningful work before becoming part of the royal family,” the source added.
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The ‘Queen of Mustique’ Nickname
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The media noted Kate’s frequent appearances on Mustique, leading to her nickname “Queen of Mustique,” once associated with Princess Margaret.
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Royal expert Katie Nicholl noted that Kate’s regular visits to the Caribbean island of Mustique led the press to refer to her as the “Queen of Mustique,” a title that sparked discomfort for Elizabeth during a difficult time for the British public.
Elizabeth’s perspective indicated that if Kate were to be William’s support as future consort, she needed to carve out a successful professional identity first.
“The Queen believed in setting a progressive example,” another source relayed. “She confided in friends about the monarchy’s need to modernize, and William’s future partner couldn’t give the impression of being idle.”
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Kate’s Uncertain Career Direction
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Despite initial reservations, Queen Elizabeth later came to appreciate Kate’s reliable presence after her marriage to William.
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At that time, Kate’s professional journey was notably uncertain. After completing her degree in art history, she temporarily worked as an accessories buyer for Jigsaw before deciding to shift gears toward photography.
In 2008, she started working at her family’s mail-order firm, Party Pieces, yet critics argued this job lacked the significance and visibility typically expected of a royal partner.
Reportedly, Elizabeth’s trepidations contributed to the postponement of William’s proposal. While rumors of an engagement swirled in the late 2000s, insiders indicated that the Queen encouraged caution until Kate’s career became more defined.
“The Queen felt it was premature to rush into an engagement while Kate’s professional situation was ambiguous,” a palace insider disclosed. “She wanted the future Duchess to be perceived as hardworking and stable.”
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Worries Eventually Put to Rest
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The late monarch maintained that Kate should demonstrate her capability before officially joining the royal family.
Despite initial anxieties, Elizabeth reportedly came to appreciate Kate’s unwavering support for William once she entered the royal fold in 2011. The late monarch recognized Kate’s “discretion, steadfast presence, and dedication to royal duties,” as recounted by insiders.
However, during the early stages of their relationship, these valid concerns were a topic of discussion within Elizabeth’s close circle of advisers.
“The Queen had affection for Kate but felt that she needed to establish her resilience. The persistent vacations and lack of a defined profession raised alarms for her. To the Queen, these were significant concerns that she did not shy away from expressing,” said one insider.
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