Kate Middleton’s frequent holidays with Prince William have reportedly drawn concern within the royal family, particularly regarding their numerous trips to the Caribbean.
Kate and William, who married in 2011 after a decade-long relationship, have faced various challenges together. The Princess of Wales has endured significant media scrutiny, especially when she was labeled “Waity-Katie” following William’s military graduation in 2006. The criticism grew when the Sunday Times published an article titled "The Girl Who Would Be Queen."
There were also reportedly “raised eyebrows” within the royal family over Kate’s frequent visits to Mustique, a private island in the southern Caribbean, where she and William often enjoyed romantic getaways. Kate’s former boss at Jigsaw had allowed her to use a luxurious villa on the island, adding to the royal concerns.
The late Queen reportedly wished that Kate would establish herself in a stable career before the couple’s engagement was announced in 2010. Initially, Kate faced criticism for working at her family’s business, Party Pieces, and later for taking a part-time job as an accessories buyer at Jigsaw. These issues even led to a brief breakup between William and Kate in 2007, though they reconciled the following year.
In her 2010 book William and Harry, royal expert Katie Nicholl noted how Kate’s frequent travels became a point of contention, saying, “If she [Kate] wasn’t with William at Balmoral, the couple were skiing or holidaying on Mustique. Kate was there so often that the press dubbed her ‘Queen of Mustique,’ a title previously associated with Princess Margaret.”
Despite the scrutiny, Kate and William have continued to enjoy their Caribbean retreats. Earlier this year, they made a private donation to support victims of Hurricane Beryl, which impacted areas including Grenada, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica, highlighting their ongoing connection to the region.
