Kate Middleton Heard the Same Chilling Advice Once Given to Princess Diana originally appeared on Parade.
When they joined the royal family, both Kate Middleton and Princess Diana were carefully instructed on how to conduct themselves both publicly and privately. While the guidance was intended to ease their transition into royal duties, it also came with a chilling undertone, a reminder of the weight their roles carried.
According to royal author Gyles Brandreth, King Charles‘ father, Prince Philip, delivered information to both Kate and Diana that was meant to make their public lives easier. However, it came with a dire warning.
The Daily Mail reports that Brandreth was Philip’s friend. They initially met through his work for the National Playing Fields Association.
Brandreth wrote in his biography Philip: The Final Portrait that one of the things that most upset the prince was that Diana appeared to respond to the public’s attention in a manner opposite to what she was instructed. “One of the things that saddened – and worried – the Queen and Prince Philip about Diana, Princess of Wales, was not that she was popular, but that she allowed her popularity to go to her head.”
Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Philip reportedly told Brandreth of royal life, “If you believe the attention is for you, you’re going to end up in trouble. The attention is for your role, what you do, what you’re supporting.”
The prince’s statement continued, “It isn’t for you as an individual. You are not a celebrity. You are representing the royal family. That’s all.”
He continued, “Don’t look at the camera. The queen never looked at the camera. Never. Look at who you are talking to. Look at who you’ve come to see. Diana looked at the camera.”
In contrast, Kate appeared to heed Philip’s advice. Brandreth stated, “Kate appeared to have learnt all the lessons that Philip could have taught her.”
“Philip would take no credit for the successful way in which Catherine has merged into the royal family, becoming a star, but somehow managing not to behave like a celebrity. It seems Kate respected her husband’s grandfather enough to know that he was speaking from a position of knowledge and experience.”
Princess Diana married Charles in July 1981. They divorced in 1996.
Kate Middleton married Prince William in April 2011. They remain married to this day.
Kate Middleton Heard the Same Chilling Advice Once Given to Princess Diana first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
