Princess Kate has emerged as one of the most popular British royals. But the mum-of-three admitted she had some teething problems at the start and would even get teased for it

Over the course of her near 13-year marriage to Prince William, Princess Kate has mastered her role as a leading royal.

Poised, confident and incredibly down-to-earth, she has emerged as one of the institution’s most-loved members. But she has admitted she struggled with one aspect of royal life when she was learning the ropes – and she used to get teased for it.

Kate revealed all during an interview with the BBC to celebrate the late Queen’s 90th birthday. She recalled her first official engagement with the monarch – and inadvertently let slip one of her teething problems as she embarked on royal life. “The most memorable engagement for me I suppose was an away day to Leicester and I went without William so I was rather apprehensive about that,” she said.

“I think there is a real art to walkabouts, everyone teases me in the family that I spend far too long chatting so I think I’ve still got to learn a little bit more and pick up a few more tips I suppose.”

Recalling the Queen’s kindness that day, she added: “She was very supportive. The fact she took the time to make sure that I was happy and looked after for that particular occasion, which probably in everything that she’s doing is a very small element, which just shows how caring she is, really.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Kate spoke about the Queen’s sweet bond with Princess Charlotte . She said: “It’s very special us having a new little girl to the family. Very lucky that George has got a little sister.

“The Queen, she was really thrilled that it was a little girl and I think as soon as we came back here to Kensington [Palace] she was one of our first visitors here.

“I think she’s very fond of Charlotte, always watching what she’s up to. George is only two and a half and calls her ‘gan-gan.’ She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay and that just shows, I think, her love for her family.”

The late Queen was known to be incredibly welcoming to new members of her family. Prince Harry wrote about how his grandmother showed her support for Meghan Markle by reaching out to her during a challenging time in her personal life.

The Queen called Meghan just as the Sussexes were having tea with King Charles. “We all looked stunned. Meg tentatively reached for the phone. It seemed Granny was calling to talk about Meg’s father,” Harry recalled in his memoir Spare.

The call came after the former Suits actress sent a letter to the Queen asking for advice and assistance with the situation. In it, Meghan is said to have opened up about how she struggled with her dad continuously talking to the press and making hurtful comments. It’s thought the Queen told Meghan to ignore any press and try to reason with her father.