Why Princess Catherine was reluctant to take on Diana’s title

Following Queen Elizabeth’s passing, an adoring public could not have been happier when Princess Catherine assumed the title of Princess of Wales. Despite the warm reception, Catherine was initially hesitant to accept the title.

Catherine’s reluctance came to light in royal author Robert Jobson’s new book, Catherine, The Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen, in which he revealed that she found the idea of taking on Diana’s title “stressful” given concerns about comparisons being made about her and her late mother-in-law.

“She knew she’d inevitably be compared with Diana, whose untimely death had provoked such a tsunami of anger and grief. And she was right,” Jobson wrote in an excerpt published in the Daily Mail.

“Kate found all such talk stressful. Indeed, it got to the point where she felt she might follow Camilla (who opted to become Duchess of Cornwall) in refusing — when the time came — to be known as HRH Princess of Wales.”

Despite her initial reluctance, Catherine “accepted her promotion with good grace, out of respect for her husband and the King”.

It was inevitable that Catherine’s ascension to the Princess of Wales would be embraced by the British public, given her widespread popularity and the global admiration she enjoys.

Princess Catherine holds a special place in the public’s hearts, and it was recently made official after a recent poll crowned her UK’s most popular royal.

A recent YouGov survey revealed that Catherine has ascended to the top spot as the most beloved royal among the British public.

The poll showed 76 per cent of Britons held a favourable view of the Princess of Wales.

Catherine’s popularity among the public was evident when she made her first public appearance since December 2023, amid her cancer battle, at this year’s Trooping the Colour ceremony. She delighted fans as she rode in a covered carriage with her three children to take part in celebrations for the birthday of King Charles.

Wearing a pale outfit decorated with a white and navy ribbon by fashion designer Jenny Packham and a broad-brimmed matching hat by milliner Philip Treacy, Catherine watched the ceremony from a window overlooking the parade ground.

She pointed out aspects of the event to her children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis while Charles saluted passing troops.

The King and Queen, as well as William, Catherine and other members of the Royal Family later returned to Buckingham Palace to watch a military fly-past from the balcony where Catherine smiled broadly and waved to an adoring crowd.

Royal fans were overjoyed at Catherine’s return, many taking to social media to welcome the Princess back while sharing how “wonderful” it was to see her once again.