Kate Middleton's Timeless Advice from Prince Philip: Secrets of Royal Composure
THE SECRET TO BEING A ROYAL SUPERSTAR: PRINCE PHILIP'S TIMELESS LESSONS FOR KATE MIDDLETON
Eight years ago today, Prince Philip marked his last official public engagement after an astonishing 70 years of dedicated service to the British monarchy. The Duke of Edinburgh's farewell event at Buckingham Palace was a poignant occasion, with the Royal Marines' band playing a rousing rendition of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" as he bid adieu to public life.
This milestone marked a new chapter for Philip, who had been an integral part of the royal family for decades. But what made him so remarkable? Was it his illustrious naval career, or perhaps his unwavering dedication to his wife, Queen Elizabeth II? The answer lies in the countless hours he spent mentoring young royals, including Kate Middleton.
As revealed by royal author Gyles Brandreth in his biography "Philip: The Final Portrait," Prince Philip was overjoyed when William and Kate tied the knot. But what might have seemed like a traditional royal sentiment was actually a genuine expression of affection for his grandson's new bride. Brandreth wrote that Philip was particularly impressed by Kate's level-headed nature, which reminded him of the Queen herself.
However, as an experienced royal mentor, Philip knew that fame and popularity can be fleeting. He warned Kate about the dangers of letting her newfound status go to her head, a lesson he had learned from his own experiences with Princess Diana. Brandreth shared in his book: "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."
Philip's words of wisdom were not just a warning; they were a reminder that as a royal, one's primary role is to serve others, not oneself. He instructed Kate: "If you believe the attention is for you personally, you're going to end up in trouble. The attention is for your role, what you do, what you're supporting. It isn't for you as an individual."
This sage advice was not new to Kate; it was a lesson she had been learning from her husband's grandfather since before their marriage. As Brandreth observed: "Kate likely understood the magnitude of what Philip was saying to her... At William's grandfather acted as a mentor to him after he lost his mother, showing him that even in the darkest times, there is always support and guidance available."
During Diana's funeral procession on September 6, 1997, Prince Philip made a poignant gesture by walking behind the coffin alongside his son Charles, William, Harry, and Earl Spencer. According to Brandreth: "Philip said to Prince William, if it would help, I could walk alongside you... So, he volunteered to do that, William accepted the invitation..."
This selfless act was not just a display of royal protocol; it was an expression of grandfatherly love and support for his grieving grandson. As Brandreth recalled: "Many observers believe William and Kate modelled themselves directly on the Queen and the late Duke of Edinburgh, who were married for 73 years."
When Prince Philip was ill in the summer of 2012, he spent a day watching Kate and William as they carried out their royal duties at a playing field in Nottingham. Brandreth witnessed firsthand how they effortlessly interacted with the public, never drawing attention to themselves: "At all times their focus was entirely on the people immediately in front of them... Not once did either of them play to the cameras – or even acknowledge them."
The Duke's own behavior had been an exemplary model for Kate and William. As Brandreth wrote: "Just as the Duke of Edinburgh, in more than 70 years of royal duty, never once put himself above, before, or ahead of his wife and sovereign... 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 that Kate respected her husband's grandfather enough to know that he was speaking from a position of knowledge and experience. And judging by her behavior as a royal, it is clear that she held Philip's advice dear, even after his passing.
As we remember Prince Philip's remarkable legacy today, we are reminded of the timeless lessons he imparted to Kate Middleton: humility, selflessness, and a commitment to serving others above oneself. These values will undoubtedly guide Kate and William as they navigate their roles in the royal family for years to come.
