Queen Elizabeth II reportedly took greater joy in Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding than she did in King Charles and Princess Diana’s nuptials, according to royal expert Tina Brown.
In her book The Palace Papers, Brown notes that the late monarch felt a “special satisfaction” watching William and Kate marry at Westminster Abbey on April 29, 2011.
The moment stood in stark contrast to July 29, 1981, when Charles wed a 20-year-old Diana Spencer.
“The Queen’s new, 29-year-old granddaughter-in-law was unlike the child bride Diana—road-tested in resilience as well as royal life,” Brown wrote.
Kate’s age, maturity, and years in the public eye reassured the monarch that she could handle the pressures of royal life, something Diana famously struggled with.
Kate and William had been together since their university years at St. Andrews, with Kate already accustomed to media attention before their engagement.
By contrast, Diana received little preparation for the intense scrutiny that followed her marriage to Charles.
Queen Elizabeth also praised the ceremony itself. Following the vows, she reportedly turned to Prince Philip and said, “That was really excellent, wasn’t it?”
Follow the latest news on Google News
