Kate Middleton appeared to be no shrinking violet before marrying into the royal family in 2011. A new book reveals she challenged Queen Elizabeth and then Prince Charles by telling them she wouldn’t be “pigeonholed” in the House of Windsor. She made a demand that holds to this day.

Queen Elizabeth surprised by Kate Middleton’s demand ahead of Prince William’s wedding

Historically, outsiders who marry into the royal family have pulled little weight in the House of Windsor. Deferring to senior royals, it takes them many years to find their voice in a family bent on tradition.

However, in a new book titled Catherine, The Princess of Wales, author Robert Jobson revealed that Kate realized her position in the royal family early on. She understood taking charge of her narrative from the beginning would set her up for success in the future.

Jobson writes per an excerpt published by Us Weekly, “[Kate] established some fundamental life rules that she would stick to when she joined The Firm. Her ‘terms’ were, in fact, presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles.”

“She was clear from the outset that she would not be pigeonholed into carrying out particular duties. Her priority, she emphasized, would always be her family,” Jobson concluded.

Has Kate Middleton stuck to the royal rule she set for herself early on?

Since marrying Prince William in 2011, Kate Middleton has struck a delicate interplay between her work for the crown and her personal life. As with any job, she created a work-life balance imperative to happiness.

Therefore, Kate stuck to her guns, ensuring that she and William created a private space for themselves. As the royal family edict has always been duty first, Kate ensuring the couple and their family had privacy was challenging.

Following in the footsteps begun by William’s mother, the late Princess Diana, Kate ensured their children live normal lives. Kate and William spend plenty of time with Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. They take them to school, the grocery store, attend sporting and school events, and eat dinner together as a family.

In the past, royals depended on nannies to be able to fulfill their royal obligations. It was also customary for royal children to see their parents only twice daily. However, by instilling this rule, Kate ensured her children would life differently than their ancestors.

Kate Middleton and Prince William have no household staff

Prince George, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte, Prince William and Kate Middleton photographed in 2024

Although Kate Middleton and Prince William could have a staff of people ready to cook and clean, author Robert Jobson claims the couple do not have any help at their Adelaide Cottage home. The couple settled into the four-bedroom cottage in 2022 after living with their three children at Kensington Palace.

Jobson writes the home “has evoked memories of a very happy childhood being raised in a quiet Berkshire village. Surrounded by her mum and dad and siblings.”

Therefore, according to The Daily Mail, it isn’t uncommon to find the Windsor children clearing up after dinner which they help cook and later, eat with their parents, and performing small tasks around the home. This stability is markedly different from how Prince William’s mealtimes were spent with nannies despite Princess Diana’s efforts to raise her sons differently.

Consequently, retains their former live-in nanny, Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, who did not relocate with them to Adelaide Cottage. However, she is still needed when the couple must attend royal engagements and for other royal commitments.

Kate Middleton and Prince William have been married for 13 years. She continues to recover from a cancer diagnosis in January 2024.