King Charles waited longer than anyone in history to claim the British throne, but after the passing of his mother last month, his time has finally come.
Becoming the monarch not only means honoring traditions and creating a legacy to mark his reign, but also changing or adapting things he thinks are necessary. The Queen’s passing also means a shuffle of sorts for the royal family, with several members taking on new responsibilities. That includes Charles and Camilla, of course, as well as Charles’s heir, Prince William, and his wife, Kate Middleton.
It’s not yet clear whether Charles and Camilla will even leave their home at Clarence House to move into Buckingham Palace, the official residence of the British monarch. Other things, however, are sure to change. If reports are to be believed, one individual that might see herself in a new role is Kate Middleton.
The future Queen apparently could be given an entirely new role under the reign of her father-in-law.
Kate Middleton has been part of the Royal Family for over a decade. In 2011, she and Prince William tied the knot in Westminster Abbey, and as the wife to a future king, as well as mother to another, it’s an understatement to say that her job is important.
In fact, Kate’s role within the Royal Family has become somewhat crucial, so it’s a good thing she’s upheld excellent relationships with the rest of the family. Not least with her father-in-law, King Charles, and Camilla.
Kate’s bond with the King and Camilla has grown strong over the years; and ever since they met for the first time, she’s been welcomed with open arms.
Now, with King Charles at the helm, it appears Kate would be set to take on an even more significant role within the monarchy.
When she first met William, Kate Middleton had not yet turned 20.
William and Kate both studied at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. The couple was said to have met through friends, though Kate was initially timid.
“I actually went bright red when I met you and scuttled off feeling very shy about meeting you,” Kate recalled.
“William wasn’t there for quite a bit of the time initially, he wasn’t there from Fresher’s Week, so it did take a bit of time for us to get to know each other.”
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The two became good friends at first, before love eventually took over. William and Kate started dating, and in 2006, she made her first royal appearance as the Prince’s girlfriend.
Kate’s life changed overnight as she and William fell in love and later got engaged. Suddenly, she was being prepped for a life within the Royal Family, along with all the traditions and duties that come with it.
For some, it sure must be frightening to make that big of a change in one’s life, despite the idea of being a member of the Royal Family often being seen as somewhat luxurious. As in any other family, it’s vitally important to establish a good connection and relationship with the rest of the members, especially the parents-in-law.
When Kate was about to meet her father-in-law, King Charles, for the first time, she was understandably very nervous.
She needn’t have been. By all accounts, her first meeting with the then-Prince was hugely successful.
“I was quite nervous about meeting William’s father, but he was very welcoming and very friendly,” Kate said in 2010. “It couldn’t have gone easier for me, really.”
And it wasn’t only Kate who was nervous about her meeting her in-laws. It turns out William was too, though his first encounter with Kate’s mother and father was equally successful.
“Kate’s got a very close family, and I get on really well with them, and I’ve been lucky they’ve been so supportive,” William said of Kate’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, in their engagement video.
“Mike and Carole have been loving, caring, and really fun, really welcoming towards me. So I’ve felt really part of the family, and I hope Kate feels the same with my family,” he added.
After Kate met William, she visited the Queen’s estate in Scotland, Balmoral, several times. Besides getting to know the Queen, she also met Charles at the estate many times, laying the foundation for their close relationship and strong bond.