Kate married into the Royal Family in 2011, and was warmly welcomed by her stepmother-in-law Camilla. The two were even seen grabbing lunch together shortly before her wedding to Prince William and the two appear to have had a good relationship in the years since. Both of them are in the unique position that their husbands will one day inherit the throne.
According to journalist Ainhoa Barcelona, writing in Hello! Magazine, the Duchess of Cornwall even gave Kate a personalised gift after she became an official royal.
She explained: “Camilla presented Kate with a gold link charm bracelet that featured a disc engraved with both of their monograms — on one side, a ‘C’ for Catherine and a coronet, and on the other, a ‘C’ for Camilla and a crown.”
The Duchess of Cambridge is affectionately known as Kate but since becoming a senior royal, she officially goes by her full name Catherine.
Ms Barcelona added: “The bracelet is clearly a favourite with Kate and shows the strong bond the Duchess shares with Prince Charles’ wife.”
However, this gift’s underlying message may have frustrated William’s late mother, Princess Diana, if she were here today.
Diana was conscious of Prince Charles’ former relationship with Camilla throughout their whole marriage.
Charles resumed his romance with Camilla five years after he wed Lady Diana Spencer.
However, Diana later claimed that she had been concerned about Mrs Parker Bowles’ bond with her husband since their honeymoon, because of their exceptionally close friendship.
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“So I said, ‘Camilla gave you those didn’t she?’
“‘He said, ‘Yes, so what’s wrong? They’re a present from a friend.’
Diana continued: “And boy, did we have a row. Jealousy, total jealousy. And it was such a good idea, the two C’s, but it wasn’t that clever.”
The People’s Princess even admitted that her “appalling” dreams were filled with thoughts of Camilla after that.
For the Duchess of Cornwall to then use similar engravings for her bracelet for Kate would have undoubtedly frustrated Diana, and reminded her of the cufflinks.
Interestingly, Editor-in-Chief of Majesty magazine Ingrid Seward told The Daily Mail last year that Diana would have got along very well with her daughter-in-law.
She said Diana would have “recognised how good Kate is” for William.
She continued: “I think she would have been very fond of Kate, because Kate does everything right and looks gorgeous.
“And I think she would have recognised how good Kate is for William, because William is emotional and difficult.”
In 2017, William explained how he would have “loved” his wife to have met his mother.
Speaking to GQ, he said: “I would love her to have met Catherine and to have seen the children grow up.
“It makes me sad that she won’t, that they will never know her.”
Ms Seward also said Diana would have “sized up” Kate’s mother, Carole Middleton, and “been a little bit wary” of her.
