Before he died in 2021, insiders say Prince Philip tried to help Kate Middleton find her way as a new royal. He had spent decades beside the Queen and understood how demanding that life could be.
At the time, Kate was still adjusting to the attention that came with marrying Prince William and stepping into her future role as queen. She was thoughtful and graceful, but the constant cameras were something new.
According to people close to the family, Philip offered a few calm words meant to help her handle the pressure. Those who worked around the couple say that advice stayed with her and still influences the way she carries herself today.
Prince Philip had some wise advice for Kate Middleton before his death
One source close to the palace told Radar Online that Philip noticed something familiar in Kate early on. “Philip saw a lot of himself in Kate. She was thoughtful, a bit reserved, and uncomfortable with the attention at first. He took her aside more than once and told her that the trick was to focus on the job, not the cameras. He said it was never about her, it was about what she represented.”
Another insider told the outlet that the message really made an impact. “He wanted her to see herself not as a celebrity but as part of something bigger.”
In Gyles Brandreth’s book Philip: The Final Portrait, the Duke’s advice to Kate appears as: “If you think the attention is on you personally, you’ll end up in trouble. The focus is on your role, what you do, what you support. It’s not focused on you as an individual. You’re not a celebrity. You represent the royal family. That’s all.”
People around the palace say that conversation helped Kate gain confidence in her public role. A senior aide said, “She learned early on from Philip how to handle the scrutiny with grace. He told her not to perform for the cameras, not to seek approval, just to get on with her work. She’s modeled her life on that bit of wisdom ever since.”
Now, many admire Kate for her warmth and composure, qualities they link to Philip’s influence. A former staffer recalled, “The Duke taught her one key rule, never get bogged down with the cameras. He told her to always focus on the person she’s speaking to, even if there are a hundred flashes going off around her. It sounds simple, but it changes how she connects with people.”
Those close to the couple say Kate and Prince William draw inspiration from the Queen and Philip’s long marriage. Many royal watchers believe Kate looks to Queen Elizabeth’s legacy of quiet strength and service as a model for her own role.
As one insider put it, “He gave her the grounding and reassurance she needed early on. He showed her how to handle the spotlight without losing her sense of self. That’s where her strength comes from now.”
TELL US – DO YOU THINK KATE HAS FOLLOWED PRINCE PHILIP’S ADVICE ABOUT HANDLING THE ROYAL SPOTLIGHT?
