Royal Author Claims Kate Middleton Treats Prince William Like “Fourth Child”
Kate Middleton is reportedly a significant influence on her husband, Prince William, allegedly treating him “like her fourth child,” according to a royal expert.
This assertion comes from royal author Tom Quinn, author of the new book, Yes Ma’am: The Secret Life of Royal Servants. Quinn reportedly interviewed numerous current and former palace staff members to gain insights into the workings of the House of Windsor.
Kensington Palace, representing the offices of the Prince and Princess of Wales, was contacted by Fox News Digital for comment on the claims. Buckingham Palace previously stated they ‘do not comment on such books’ to Fox News Digital.
Prince William’s Temperament
Quinn claimed to Fox News Digital that, “[As heir to the British throne,] occasionally, William displays minor outbursts and irritability if matters are not handled to his satisfaction.”
He further stated, “But Kate is adept at managing this in a similar manner to handling their three children’s outbursts – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. Consequently, staff members jokingly refer to Kate treating William as the fourth child, due to his occasional childlike behavior.”
Staff Confirm Kate’s Approach
According to the book, a staff member informed Quinn, “I am unsure where William would be without Kate – her upbringing was not entirely privileged, thus she calms him when he becomes somewhat fractious. She remarks that he sometimes requires being treated as her fourth child!”
The source suggested that Kate’s non-royal background fosters an approachable demeanor, making her a favorite among staff, unlike William and his father.
Demands and Royal Irritations
“Suits must be pressed and arranged after consultation the prior evening; shoes must be polished, and ties selected,” a staff member revealed to Quinn in his book, detailing the care for King Charles III and his heir.
The aide claimed, “Baths must be prepared at precisely the same time each day, and both King Charles and the Prince of Wales, Prince William, are prone to tantrums if their preferences are not met,” as cited in the book.
A former staff member asserted, “‘They both become irritated very quickly,'” adding that the King and his heir are accustomed to being catered to, rendering them “very particular.”
The aide, as quoted in Quinn’s book, elaborated, “Individuals accustomed to lifelong pampering tend to be somewhat spoiled and susceptible to irritation, as they lack comprehension of the labor involved in tasks such as washing, ironing, polishing, and sewing, activities they have never personally undertaken.”
Kate’s Influence on William’s Behavior
The future king reportedly becomes temperamental when situations deviate from his desired course. However, Kate is said to remain unfazed by his conduct.
Quinn explained to Fox News Digital, “In numerous respects, William endured an emotionally formative childhood. This is not solely due to the immense trauma of losing his mother, Princess Diana, at age 15, which is universally acknowledged.”
“Prior to that, his parents’ separation was highly publicized. The unpleasantness between his parents unfolded on a global stage. Simultaneously, he was under the care of paid staff.”
Quinn asserted, “For a considerable period, this fostered a sense of neediness in William as an adult. He cherished spending time with Kate’s family because, in contrast to his own, they were exceptionally warm, intimate, and emotionally intelligent.”
“When Kate and William initially became a couple, William was inclined to display outbursts if matters did not proceed as he wished, reflecting his enduring emotional neediness from childhood.”
Milder Temperament Due to Kate
Regarding these alleged temper tantrums, Quinn claimed they are “less frequent now,” attributing this change to Kate’s influence.
Reportedly, through the Princess of Wales, William witnessed the significance of hands-on parenting.
Kate’s Approach to Parenting
According to Quinn’s book, Kate “vowed to eliminate as many, if not all, duties conventionally delegated to the nursery.” She desired her children to cultivate a close bond with their parents, rather than relying solely on paid caregivers, despite their royal status.
Quinn wrote, “Despite disapproval from numerous palace traditionalists, she has dedicated what many royal insiders deem a surprisingly extensive amount of time to routine childcare tasks, historically outsourced to paid staff. However, even Kate concedes that joining the royal family necessitates adhering to certain, if not most, conventions.” In 2014, she appointed Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo to assist the family.
Quinn explained to Fox News Digital, “A deeply ingrained tradition disliked by Kate was the universal practice of parents not caring for their own children. From birth through early infancy and toddlerhood, childcare responsibilities predominantly fell to a nanny and nursery maid. Royal children traditionally did not form bonds with their parents. Even Charles acknowledged a distressing childhood due to minimal interaction with his mother.”
Quinn continued, “Once boys reached a certain age, they were sent away to school. As infants, they bonded with hired staff who subsequently departed, replaced by others. Kate recognized this as a detrimental tradition and resolved against it, enabled by William’s support. Kate asserted, ‘I am not going to do that.’”
Royal Etiquette Lessons
However, as anticipated, Kate did learn essential royal etiquette rules early on from William.
One of the prince’s advisors, as quoted in the book, claimed, “Prior to Kate’s awareness of the sartorial demands for senior royals… she once acquired an outfit deemed inappropriate by William.”
“He remarked to Kate that her attire suggested she had hastily adorned herself from a charity shop with excessive adhesive. This remark was widely considered humorous, including by Kate, to her credit.”
A former Kensington Palace staff member also disclosed to Quinn, “Kate was consistently receptive to guidance, both from junior staff, with whom she maintained amicable relations, and senior courtiers – accepting counsel from courtiers despite initial snobbishness from some.”
Princess Refuses “Blooding” Tradition
Quinn further claimed in his book that despite her royal instruction, the Princess of Wales is preventing her three young children from undergoing “blooding.” This age-old ritual involves smearing blood from a first kill during fox or stag hunting on royal family members’ faces.
“Catherine, Princess of Wales, has firmly opposed blooding for her children,” Quinn wrote. “The king himself underwent the rite as a child, as did his two sons, Princes William and Harry.”
“Kate unequivocally stated that this would not occur to her children,” Quinn affirmed to Fox News Digital. “I believe Kate was aghast at the prospect of this happening to her children.”
Diana’s Dislike of Royal Traditions
Kate was not alone in objecting to established royal traditions.
Quinn wrote, “King Charles adored stalking in his youth and enjoyed hunting, specifically fox hunting. He was taken aback when Diana, who always preferred urban settings, expressed her aversion to shooting, fishing, stalking, and hunting – all cherished country pursuits among royals.”
“According to a Balmoral source, ‘That, in my view, marked the commencement of their relationship’s decline, regardless of assertions that it was solely attributable to another woman!’”