Kate Middleton has a royal reception struggle she can’t quite escape. A senior royal source told Radar Online that the Princess of Wales may look relaxed in photos from huge events. But they can be “surprisingly demanding” for her. It is because there are “hundreds of conversations happening simultaneously.”
The insider added that Middleton “takes conversations extremely seriously.” So, she stops and listens “properly,” as she doesn’t want anyone to feel they have simply been “processed” as just a “part of an engagement.” This can reportedly make her conversation run over time.
The source said it has become “something of a running joke.” The reason is she’s often asked to “speak louder” and sometimes spends “considerably longer” with guests than planned. The tipster also shared that Middleton has had training for public appearances.
They noted, “Those around her have become accustomed to seeing the timetable slipping because Catherine has become absorbed in somebody’s story.” Still, despite growing confidence, she prefers to stay “quiet rather than loud.”
She herself admitted that she finds these environments “really hard.” Middleton added, “I’ve also got a very soft voice, so I always get told ‘Speak up a bit louder!’” She commented on Buckingham Palace on April 21, 2026.
It marked what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th birthday. King Charles, Prince William, and other senior royals were all there. Middleton had returned to public duties after a three-week Easter break.
During the reception, Middleton met Tony Gledhill, a retired Metropolitan Police officer. He received the George Cross in 1967 after confronting armed criminals in 1966. His wife of 67 years had recently passed away. Gledhill said his wife had encouraged him to attend the reception.
Middleton then hugged him and held both his hands while they spoke. He later chatted with William and Charles. According to HELLO!, Gledhill recalled the encounter with Middleton, saying, “The Princess was lovely. She was fantastic.”
For the reception, the mom of three wore a lilac Emilia Wickstead dress with a 1940s-inspired look. She finished it with Elizabeth’s three-strand pearl necklace. Middleton has spoken about another royal-duty challenge before. In the 2016 ITV documentary Our Queen at Ninety, she said her family often teased her for chatting too long during walkabouts.
“There’s a real art to walkabouts; everybody teases me in the family that I spend far too long chatting. I still have to learn a little bit more, and to pick up a few more tips, I suppose,” the 44-year-old said. She made those remarks while she was still the Duchess of Cambridge.
Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with The Mirror, former royal butler Grant Harrold described her as “very sweet” and “very easy-going.” He said, “What you see is what you get with her.” He added that she has a good sense of humour and is “very down to earth.”
Harrold also recalled how Middleton would visit the kitchen at Highgrove to chat with staff before going into the house. He said this showed that she “never saw herself better than anyone else.”
