Princess Kate's Surprising Request Leaves Friends in Shock
Kate Middleton, currently undergoing chemotherapy following her cancer diagnosis, once left her friends in shock with a secret message.
Before her 2011 wedding to Prince William, Kate was preparing for a more formal change to her name.
According to royal biographer Robert Jobson’s latest book, Catherine, the Princess of Wales, Kate sent an email to her friends asking them to call her Catherine instead of the more informal Kate.
Kate's message surprised her friends and "added to the speculation" that William was going to propose to her, according to Jobson.
Jobson cites a 2008 article by Sunday Express columnist Adam Helliker, which revealed that Kate had written "a humorous email to her close friends" expressing her desire to be called Catherine.
Helliker wrote, according to Jobson’s new book, "I hear that in the past few weeks, the former accessories buyer has quietly informed friends that she would like to drop the informal ‘Kate’ and in future wishes to be known by her full name: Catherine."
However, the author was unsure if she disliked being called Kate or if it was "part of a bigger preparation for her formal public role as Prince William’s future wife," adding that it appeared "she had a genuine desire to go by her full name."
Prince William and Princess Kate, who are now parents of three children—Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—are reportedly planning big holiday plans this summer, as the royal family traditionally gathers at the late Queen's favorite Balmoral Castle for holidays.
