21 July 2023 , 09:30
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The Princess of Wales has become one of the Royal Family's most valuable assets - and has even represented Queen Elizabeth and the King at events.
But before she married into the Firm, the late monarch apparently had some concerns about her grandson's girlfriend and her apparent lack of a career.
At that time, Kate enjoyed some very fancy holidays as part of a luxurious lifestyle, often spotted holidaying on the Caribbean island of Mustique with her family or enjoying romantic skiing trips with Prince William.
And apparently, this concerned the then-Queen, who was unsure about her future granddaughter-in-law's jet-set lifestyle.
Kate Middleton with the Queen in 2019 (AFP via Getty Images)In her 2010 book William and Harry, royal expert Katie Nicholl wrote: "If she was not with William at Balmoral then the couple were skiing or holidaying on Mustique.
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"Kate was there so often the press dubbed her ‘Queen of Mustique’, a title that had previously belonged to Princess Margaret.
"Britain was now in a recession and such frivolous displays of wealth were unpalatable to the Queen.
"While the rest of the world speculated that an engagement was on the horizon for William and Kate, the Queen believed an announcement should be postponed until Kate was settled in a career."
Kate with husband Prince William (UK Press via Getty Images)In the book, Katie quoted a source who said: "It is Her Majesty’s opinion that if Kate is one day going to be William’s consort, then she needs a proper job.
"Swanning from one five-star holiday resort to another is not the prerequisite for a young woman possibly destined to be Queen."
Kate at an event in London earlier this month (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)And Katie claims that Kate was "stung" by the Queen's words.
However, Elizabeth need not have worried when it came to Kate, who has proved to be an extremely popular member of the Firm.
This weekend, the Princess of Wales will celebrate her son Prince George's 10th birthday, seven days on from representing the family at the Wimbledon tennis championships as patron of the LTA.