Prince Philip Gave Kate Middleton an Eerie Warning Before His Death: ‘You’ll End Up in Trouble… ‘
Jason Pham
Kate Middleton received some sage advice from her grandfather-in-law, Prince Philip, before his death in 2021.
According to Gyles Brandreth’s 2021 book, Philip: The Final Portrait, the late Duke of Edinburgh gave the future Princess of Wales his “golden rule” for making it as a senior member of the British royal family “If you think the attention is on you personally, you’ll end up in trouble,” Philip told Kate, according to the book. “The focus is on your role, what you do, what you support. It’s not focused on you as an individual. You’re not a celebrity. You represent the royal family.”
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Brandreth reported that Philip told Kate that the way to avoid feeling like a star was to “never look at the camera” when photographers were around. According to the book, Philip told Kate his wife, Queen Elizabeth II, never looked at the camera but instead at the person she was speaking to.
“I have been on walkabouts with [the Princess of Wales],” Brandwreth wrote. “She does not look at the camera. Whenever she is interviewed, Catherine talks about the matter at hand, never about herself.”
Royal expert Helena Chard also seemingly confirmed Philip’s advice for Kate in an interview with Fox News. “She was taught by the best,” she said. “Prince Philip reminded her that she wasn’t a celebrity. She represents the royal family. She needs to dedicate herself to a life of service, concentrate on the job at hand and never smile directly at the camera.”
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Royal expert Hilary Fordwich also echoed the same observation about Kate. “One of the many reasons Princess Catherine has followed his advice was due to the national respect she always garnered,” she said. “She also values tradition, service, as well as stability.”
She continued, “[Philip] implored her to always focus on the role, that of dedication and duty, not on herself. That’s why she avoids seeking public attention for personal fame. He made it blatantly clear that royalty and celebrity are two completely different things. Philip’s advice has helped her preserve the monarchy’s respected public image, rendering her as one of the most level-headed, grounded, popular, revered and trusted members of the royal family.”
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Royal biographer Penny Junor also compared Kate to Philip in an interview with the Daily Mail. “Kate shines in her own light, but she knows her place in the royal family,” she said. “I think Kate is a bit like Prince Philip, who has always supported Queen Elizabeth II.”
