Princess Kate’s Family Nurtured Prince William During King Charles’ Absence, Royal Author Claims

Princess Kate’s family reportedly “took Prince William under their wing” during times when King Charles was “too busy for family life,” according to royal author Ingrid Seward.

William and Kate first met at St Andrews University, transitioning from friends to a couple before their engagement in 2010 and a fairytale wedding at Westminster Abbey the following year. Over their 13 years of marriage, William’s bond with the Middleton family has flourished, providing him with the familial warmth he had longed for.

Seward noted, “They provided the kind of family atmosphere he had never had and probably yearned for,” highlighting the laughter, family games, and shared outdoor activities that characterized their time together. This nurturing environment instilled in William a family-oriented mindset, something King Charles had hoped for him, given his own lack of such experiences.

Despite the influence of the Middletons, Seward emphasized that the monarchy’s power would always prevail, stating, “The royal side will always come out on top however influential your family is.”

A newly released memoir by Kate’s brother, James Middleton, titled “Meet Ella,” offers insights into the Middleton family’s dynamics. In a light-hearted section, he shared how Prince William often felt overwhelmed by the competitive nature of their card games, sometimes opting to walk his dog, Ella, to escape.

James described William’s reluctance to engage in the fierce competition, saying, “He’d slink off to cuddle Ella,” illustrating William’s comfort in being a “loser at cards.”

James also opened up about his mental health struggles, including his diagnosis of clinical depression and ADD. He expressed feeling misunderstood for years and credited his brother-in-law, Prince William, for encouraging him to speak out about mental illness. “They are my motivation for doing so,” he stated, referencing the advocacy work of the royal family through their mental health charity, Heads Together.