The Duchess of Cambridge, still fondly referred to by many as Kate Middleton, has nothing but words of gratitude for Queen Elizabeth, who celebrated her 90th birthday this year. To cap off the year, the BBC documentary Our Queen at 90 was again aired which featured inside information about the royal.
Prince Charles and sons William and Harry went into details on how the Queen’s passion for life and work inspired them. Prince Andrew as well as his daughters Beatrice and Eugenie likewise recalled fond memories with her. Even a handful of politicians, celebrities, and ordinary people shared wonderful stories about meeting her.
The account of Kate, however, stood out. After all, some tabloids can’t help but spin stories about the Queen’s treatment of her granddaughter-in-law. In the interview, the 34-year-old said that the Queen was ecstatic when Princess Charlotte came into their lives last year.
“The Queen was very pleased that she was a girl. The Queen is very fond of Charlotte and takes an interest in what she gets up to,” she gushed, according to Marie Claire
As opposed to what others are thinking, Kate said that the Queen has an affectionate side, especially when it comes to her and William’s children.
“Every time we stay with her, she leaves a little gift for George and Charlotte in their rooms. I think that just goes to show her love for [the children] and for the family.”
She also talked about how the Queen made her feel at ease when she needed to attend an event without William.
“She’s been a gentle guidance. The most memorable day for me was during a visit to Leicester. I went without William so I was a little apprehensive. Everyone in the family teases me because I spend far too much time chatting than I should. So I do have a lot to learn still, I suppose. But that day, the Queen took time to make sure I was happy and looked after on that occasion. Again, that shows just how caring she is really.”
The repeat airing of the documentary was lauded on social media. Through the tribute, many claimed that they were able to learn more about the elusive Queen, who never agrees to one-on-one television interviews.
Rarely do we get such an insight into the Royal Family. #OurQueenAt90 is class. Well done @itv.
— Ross Fiddes (@RossFiddes) December 6, 2016
Watching #OurQueenAt90 and more amazed than ever by our incredible Monarch. Hardest working 90 yr old on the planet. Pity for the critics
— Rusty Kunt (@topcoalpha) December 6, 2016
She appreciates the simple things in life, like horse drawn gold carriages and roast swan.#OurQueenAt90
— wayne smith (@WayneyoWayne) December 6, 2016
She is set to welcome members of the royal family this Christmas at Buckingham Palace. In line with the tradition, members of the extended family will attend a pre-holiday lunch organized by the Queen herself. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will take place at Sandringham House.
Meanwhile, Prince William, Duchess Catherine, and Prince Harry are expected to attend several Christmas parties, including the annual Heads Together party on December 19. Youth support group The Mix will host the party to pay honor to the volunteers and counselors who have been helping the campaign. On the day of the party, William and Harry will attend a breakout session where counselors will give lectures on how to support young people coping with different issues. Kate will take part in a live online chat around the U.K. The reception will then follow.
The trio launched the campaign in a bid to fight the stigma surrounding mental issues. There are eight charities including The Mix that are involved in Heads Together. William previously shared via E! Online the reason for their advocacy.
“Mental health is not a dirty word. We all have mental health like we do physical health, good or ill. But not seeking help at those times when it all seems too much, or we are depressed or anxious, can impact the rest of our lives. Put simply, the three of us want to make asking for help no longer a big deal.”
Since Heads Together’s launch last May, they have been attending engagements across the country to spread the word.
[Featured Image by Chris Jackson/Getty Images]