How Queen Elizabeth’s Concerns About Kate Middleton Changed With Their Shared Passion

Queen Elizabeth and Kate Middleton — The Queen, Kate, and Camilla Visit Central London for Sweet Treats Getty Images/Paul Grover

Kate Middleton met Queen Elizabeth II before she married Prince William. Prior to their wedding, Her Majesty had major concerns about Prince William’s future wife.

But according to royal commentator Erin Hill, Her Majesty’s perception toward the Duchess of Cambridge changed after she found out that they have a shared passion. The royal commentator said that the Queen couldn’t be more delighted when she found out that Kate loved the great outdoors.

“Growing up in the English countryside with a close-knit family, these are values that are really important to the Royal Family,” she said. “The Queen loves the outdoors, she’s happiest when she’s wearing her tweeds out there, with her horses and this is something she shares with Kate,” she added.

Queen Elizabeth II attends a Christmas Day church service at Sandringham on December 25, 2015, in King's Lynn, England. Chris Jackson/Getty Images

Prior to learning about their shared passion for the outdoors, the Queen was reportedly concerned over the fact that Kate lacked enough work experience. In the book “The Making Of A Royal Romance,” royal author Katie Nicholl said that Her Majesty believed that Prince William’s wife needed to make a name for herself before their engagement was announced.

“Privately she had grave concerns and believed that Kate needed to have a job and an identity in her own right before an engagement was announced,” Nicholl said. Royal expert Phil Dampier added that Kate’s lack of work experience was also a huge concern for the 93-year-old royal.

“Kate was William’s girlfriend for eight or nine years before they got engaged and got married,” he said. “There was a phase where she appeared to be doing very little really. The Queen once remarked Kate doesn’t do very much so I think she had a fairly long entrance to the Royal family,” he added.

Prince William and Kate tied the knot on April 29, 2011, and it was evident that the Queen supported the royal couple all the way. In fact, before Prince William could ask for Kate’s hand in marriage, he had to ask for his grandmother’s permission.

Shortly after their wedding, Prince William and Kate welcomed their first child, Prince George, in 2013. Princess Charlotte was born two years later, and Prince Louis was born last year.