KATE Middleton may be the future Queen of England, but she is still a daddy’s girl at heart and relies on him for advice and support.
The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, recently took dad Michael, 72, to Wimbledon, and the father-and-daughter-duo were seen laughing and enjoying their day together.
Quietly-confident Michael lives with Carole, 66, in their Buckleberry home, but he is always on hand to help their three children, Kate, Pippa, 37, and James, 34.
Here are the sweet signs that Kate idolises her dad…
Goes to him for advice
Royal author Duncan Larcombe told Fabulous: “Sources say Kate continues to rely on her father for advice, support and the calming influence of a man seemingly unphased by her daughter’s meteoric rise.
“The former British Airways pilot’s grounded outlook on life as well as his steadfast support for all three of his children are said to be an inspiration to Kate as she balances the demands of Royal life with those of motherhood.”
A close friend of the Middletons is said to have told Duncan that Kate was left “shaking with fear” on her royal wedding day in 2011.
Duncan added: “It was her father’s reassuring support that helped get her through.
“Much of Kate’s flawless performance on her wedding day was due to the soothing support of her father who gripped her hand as they made their way through the crowds and into the Abbey.”
Daddy’s girl
Duncan added that though Kate may be a queen in waiting and the mother of a future king, “there are strong signs she remains a ‘daddy’s girl’ at heart.”
Body language expert Judi James agreed, telling Fabulous: “We’re so used to seeing Kate in the roles of royal wife and mother and the impeccable, showing that pitch-perfect elegance she is famous for as a future Queen.
“Seeing her body language poses with her father Michael we also get a glimpse of a different Kate: the child and daughter who looks to be very much a Daddy’s girl.
Jokes at Wimbledon
Images of the Duchess of Cambridge with her father Michael at Wimbledon revealed a bond that has endured throughout Kate’s incredible journey from childhood.
Judi explained: “Kate often tends to be more formal at Wimbledon but with her dad the authority here she relaxes and joins in the Mexican wave.
“Sustained eye contact is very much a feature of Kate’s profile as a royal as it shows polite interest and engagement.
“With her dad sitting beside her, Kate looks able to sit back slightly and relax as a daughter rather than a top tier royal.
Looks to him for a trusted glance
Kate knows that all eyes will be on her as she steps out in public, but we have often seen her still looking to Michael for a glance of support.
Judi explained: “With deeper levels of rapport like the ones she shares with her dad though, these brief, fond glances are enough to say everything between them. Tie-signs like this show how close she is to her dad.
“It’s as though she feels she can abdicate her authority and status for a few hours to just be his daughter again, suggesting strong feelings of being safe and protected in his company.”
They are sporty together
Royal Editor Ingrid Seward told Fabulous that “all the in-laws whose offspring have married into the royal family in recent years, the Middletons have been the most embraced.”
She added: “For her part, Kate has always adored her father, who taught her and younger sister Pippa to excel at sport, especially tennis.
“Mum Carole’s glamour and business acumen and dad Michael’s gentle nature and charm have proved the perfect elements for their eldest daughter to become the future queen.
“Kate’s stable background instilled in her a natural confidence, which has helped her so much in royal life.”
Kates likes how close he is to William
Those close to the Middleton’s say Mike and Kate’s mum Carole are ‘extremely hands-on’ with their grandchildren and love nothing more than when William and Kate bring the whole clan round to the family home in Berkshire.
Duncan added: “And it’s not just Kate who will often turn to her father for advice. Prince William has also formed a strong bond with his father-in-law and sees him as an exceptional role model in all things family.
“During lockdown, when Kate was forced to keep away from her parents, she was at pains to set up regular Zoom calls with them to ensure the link with their grandchildren stayed strong.”
Ingrid claims that when William married Kate he would spend more time with Michael than with his own father, Prince Charles, and even called his father-in-law “dad.”
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Michael has the Queen’s seal of approval
Ingrid said that Kate is at the top of her game, living up to all expectations in devoting herself fully to The Firm.
She said: “In return, The Queen and Prince Philip have welcomed the Middleton family with open arms.
“Of all the in-laws whose offspring have married into the royal family in recent years, the Middletons have been the most embraced.
“So what’s the Middletons’ secret to success? Mum Carole’s glamour and business acumen and dad Michael’s gentle nature and charm have proved the perfect elements for their eldest daughter to become the future queen.
“Kate’s stable background instilled in her a natural confidence, which has helped her so much in royal life.
“She never felt unloved and insecure as Diana and Fergie did when their mothers fled the marital home – Fergie felt it was her fault her mother had left, and thought herself fat, unattractive and unworthy of her royal position.”
We shared how a grinning Prince George celebrated 8th birthday in snap taken by mum Kate Middleton with touching nod to Philip.
And Prince William and Kate Middleton are sending secret signs to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, royal expert claims.
