The Princess of Wales has forged close bonds with the Royal Family – and she had a surprising connection to her in-laws long before she fell in love with the future king
Princess Kate officially became a member of the Royal Family when she married Prince William in Westminster Abbey in April 2011.
But she had a connection to The Firm long before she had even met her future husband. Kate actually shared a special bond with the late Prince Philip, having completed the DofE programme during her time at Marlborough College.
And in 2016, Kate – who was presented with the award at St James’s Palace – appeared in a documentary celebrating the 60th anniversary of the scheme.
She confessed: “I can remember trying to cook bacon in the soaking wet. Everything was just sopping and I was trying and trying to cook bacon. I remember saying you know what, I think we’re just going to have plain sandwiches. Bread, basic bread and butter!”
The Princess forged a close connection with Prince Philip (
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Little did she know at the time that the Duke of Edinburgh would later become her grandfather-in-law – and that they would share a touching bond.
According to insiders, the pair shared a similar sense of humour and devotion to duty. Royal expert Ingrid Seward, who met Philip several times, previously said, “It is known Prince Philip likes her.”
And in his book, Elizabeth: An Intimate Portrait, royal author and long-time friend Gyles Brandreth revealed the compliment Philip gave to Kate. He wrote, “When Catherine Middleton came along as a potential bride for his grandson, Prince William, the Duke of Edinburgh was, he told me, ‘relieved to find her such a level-headed girl’.”
Gyles also revealed the advice Prince Philip, who died in April 2021, gave to the Princess. He said, “‘If you believe the attention is for you personally’, he warned her, ‘you’re going to end up in trouble. The attention is for your role, what you do, what you’re supporting.
“‘It isn’t for you as an individual. You are not a celebrity. You are representing the royal family. That’s all. Don’t look at the camera. The Queen never looks at the camera. Never. Look at who you’re talking to’.”
The Duke was said to be ‘relieved’ that his grandson had found ‘such a level-headed girl’ in Kate
After his death, Prince William reflected on Kate’s relationship with the Duke, saying, “I will always be grateful that my wife had so many years to get to know my grandfather and for the kindness he showed her.”
Prince Philip founded The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in 1956. Following his death, his youngest son Prince Edward took over as the new Duke of Edinburgh, and also patron of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Edward – along with his wife Sophie – had long been key ambassadors of the award, often standing in for Philip to hand out the gold, or top, honours to young people
Edward said in a statement at the time: “Some say The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is in my DNA; it’s certainly been a major part of my life for a very long time.”
“Being asked to take on the role of Patron after my father is a particular honour and quite a responsibility. Sustaining and enhancing what is arguably his greatest legacy around the world matters a great deal to me, as does pursuing the Award’s long-term ambition of universal access so that every eligible young person has the opportunity to participate.
“Above all, I hope to ensure the Award to which my father gave his title, those that achieve it, and those who deliver it continue to enjoy the recognition they so richly deserve,” Edward – who achieved his own gold award in 1986 – added.
