Kate Middleton once debated refusing the Princess of Wales title to avoid “stressful” comparisons to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
In Robert Jobson’s new book, “Catherine, The Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen,” he claimed that Middleton was nervous about inheriting Diana’s famed title because it was so synonymous with the late royal, who died in a 1997 car crash at age 36.
“She knew she’d inevitably be compared with Diana, whose untimely death had provoked such a tsunami of anger and grief. And she was right,” Jobson wrote in an excerpt obtained by the Daily Mail.
The royal author said the “similarities and differences between the two women” were discussed at length in the public and even in the royal household, which added even more pressure on Middleton.
“Kate found all such talk stressful,” he wrote. “Indeed, it got to the point where she felt she might follow Camilla (who opted to become Duchess of Cornwall) in refusing — when the time came — to be known as HRH Princess of Wales.”
Diana became the Princess of Wales after marrying future King Charles in 1981.
However, Lady Di kept the name even after the pair’s 1996 divorce and Camilla decided against taking the title after she wed Charles in 2005.
After her 2010 engagement to Prince William, Middleton was asked if she found it intimidating to follow in the footsteps of such a “massive iconic figure” like her late mother-in-law.
“Obviously, I would have loved to have met her and she’s obviously an inspirational woman to look up to,” Middleton said during an ITV News interview.
“But yeah, I do,” she admitted before William cut in to say there was “no pressure” for her to be the “next Diana.”
“No one is trying to fill my mother’s shoes,” William said. “It’s about carving your own future and your own destiny, and Kate will do a very good job at that.”
Although the couple wed in 2011, Middleton wasn’t faced with the decision until over a decade later, giving her time to adjust to royal life.
When Charles took the throne in September 2022, Middleton “accepted her promotion with good grace, out of respect for her husband and the King.”
“Enough time had passed to make the title more palatable, and Catherine had been on the world stage long enough to be appreciated for her own qualities,” Jobson wrote.
At the time, a royal source told Page Six that William and Kate were “focused on deepening the trust and respect of the people of Wales” and wanted to approach their work in a “modest and humble way.”
“The new Princess of Wales appreciates the history associated with this role, but will understandably want to look to the future as she creates her own path,” the insider shared.
Middleton had to step away from her duties earlier this year after being diagnosed with cancer.
Despite attending Wimbledon and the Trooping the Colour parade this summer, the mother of three has spent most of the year out of the public eye — and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
“She will be back, but when you have had an experience like this, it changes your perspective and the order of things,” Jobson recently told People.
The royal author noted that the future queen “used to live her life by the calendar” but “now she is living her life, and the calendar comes in after.”
