A biographer has shared the key advice Prince Philip offered Kate Middleton to steer clear of royal “trouble.” The news comes as no surprise, given their warm bond and shared understanding of life in the royal family. While the late prince was known for his strict and principled nature, he and his granddaughter-in-law frequently shared lighthearted moments in public, revealing a close rapport.
Kate Middleton was reportedly told not to think of herself as a ‘celebrity’
Kate Middleton has carried one key principle from Prince Philip throughout her royal life. It is that the public focus should be on the Crown itself, not the person representing it.
According to RadarOnline.com, the Princess of Wales took the guidance to heart while navigating royal life following her wedding to Prince William in 2011.
Royal biographer Gyles Brandreth has shed light on the advice Philip shared with the future queen. In his book “Philip: The Final Portrait,” he noted, “If you believe the attention is for you, for you personally, you’re going to end up in trouble.”
He further said, “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.”
The late Duke of Edinburgh’s instruction was clear and practical. While on engagements, Princess Catherine should not look toward photographers but stay focused on her interaction.
Brandreth further revealed that the late consort was concerned that heavy media attention could affect newcomers to royal life. However, he was comforted by the fact that Prince William had married a “level-headed girl”.
The author added, “I have been on (a) walkabout with the Duchess of Cambridge. She does not look at the camera. Whenever she is interviewed, Catherine talks about the matter in hand, never about herself.”
Prince Philip himself had honed the strategy of ignoring the cameras during decades of service beside the late Queen Elizabeth II. He passed away at the age of 99 in April 2021, after 73 years of marriage to the late monarch.
