Kate Middleton's 'crippling fear' which she defeated after marrying William

07 November 2023 , 23:03

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Kate reportedly had a "crippling fear" of public speaking (Image: PA)

The Princess of Wales reportedly had a "crippling fear" that she managed to defeat once she married Prince William.

Kate Middleton had a terrible fear of public speaking when she first married the royal, an insider claimed. Having no experience being in a royal family, Kate had a lot to learn, including how to curtsey and how to speak in front of big groups of people.

According to royal expert Camilla Tominey, the Princess struggled to overcome her fear of public speeches when she first joined The Firm, after having always shied away from being the centre of attention. Speaking during the 2017 BBC podcast Images of Diana, Camilla said: "I think it’s difficult for Kate individually because I think she’s intrinsically quite shy.

"I think she could give herself more credit by speaking more. She’s had this crippling fear of public speaking. Arthur [Edwards, royal photographer] and I have seen first hand - and the rest of the people in the press pack - when she has had to address crowds that she needs to get over. Because if the royals are to be modern and very 21st century, princesses need to be heard as well as seen."

The Prince and Princess and Wales (Getty Images)

After Kate's first public speech in 2012, the Guardian reported that Kate candidly told a guest: "I find doing speeches nerve-wracking." But since then, royal expert Camilla has only spoken highly of Kate's progress and how she has grown into her royal role. She even once suggested that she has now become one of the most powerful people in the Royal Family.

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Dame Kelly Holmes also confirmed Kate's nerves during an interview with People. The Dame said that during a meeting with Kate that 'she had to learn and she's still learning every day. She continued: "Doing public speaking isn't a natural thing for lots of people, and she said she's still working that out, how to project.

'She humanised everything to show not everyone's perfect. It doesn't matter what you've got or perceived to have as an individual, you're still going to have those insecurities and need those learning tools that happen over life."

Last month, Kate and William stepped out in Birmingham to mark World Mental Health Day, where she delivered a moving speech, in which she said: "Simply talking about mental health is just not enough." Addressing the young crowd in the room, Kate told them their ultimate goal was to "shape fairer, safer, kinder, more equal societies."

She added: "William and I believe we need to do all we can as a society to help young people develop the emotional and social life skills they need for good mental health, and to thrive in the world around them."

Rachel Hagan