Prince William and Kate Middleton in February 2023.Photo: Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty
Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamare always thinking ofQueen Elizabeth.
On thefirst anniversaryof the Queen’s death on Friday, Sept. 8, thePrince and Princess of Waleshave much to reflect on. It’s been a year of change for the royal family, especially William and Kate, who became heir and queen-in-waiting withKing Charles’ reign.
Prince William and Princess Kate, both 41, “are maintaining a good balance between carrying out their duties and raising their children as privately as possible,” royal author Sally Bedell Smith exclusively tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue.
Getting that right is key and “something they think about every day,” adds a source close to the family. In doing so, they honor the Queen.
“The prince was incredibly close to his grandmother,” the source says. “She was such a big part of his life and a real supporter of his work, and I’m sure he and the princess miss her presence.”
Queen Elizabeth.
In the last 12 months, the Prince and Princess of Wales have forged ahead with work that will be central to their lives for decades to come. Kate has taken her early childhood initiative to a new public level withShaping Us, a campaign focused on kids under age 5, while William is concentrating on a new homelessness project,Homewards. He has been increasing his global role, too, meeting PresidentJoe Bidenin Bostonlast Decemberandtraveling to the borderbetween Poland and Ukraine in March. Later this month he’ll promote his environmentalEarthshot Prizeduring a visit to New York.
Their family life has gone through a huge change too. The first full day at the privateLambrook SchoolforPrince George, 10,Princess Charlotte, 8, andPrince Louis, 5, was the day the Queen died. Since then, the children have been more visible than ever, participating in significant family and formal events. Prince George, who is now second in line to the throne, historically stepped into the spotlight to support his grandfather as aPage of Honorat thecoronationin May.
“Charles is leading the way for them already, and [William and Kate] are both involved in decision-making behind the scenes. They are ready and willing to do the job — and Kate is very much a part of that,” a friend of the princess tells PEOPLE.
Queen Elizabeth with the royal family in June 2022.Chris Jackson/Getty
Chris Jackson/Getty
In matters both personal and professional, “there is an enormous loss,” says a source close to the royal household, “as [the Queen] played a very important part in all of their lives. But I’m impressed at how smoothly things are moving forward given all the little hiccups that there are in the background.”
The biggest “hiccup” of all, of course, has been the ongoing estrangement ofPrince HarryandMeghan Marklefrom the rest of the royal family. Fissures within the family came to the fore when King Charles’ younger son and his wife left the U.K. for the U.S. in 2020, and relations have remained strained since.
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If he’s looking for a way forward, Charles could examine the way his mother negotiated public scandals, political upheavals and family drama for 70 years.
“[The Queen] managed to navigate these choppy waters, and that’s why she was always admired and loved—because she got the family through,” says the source close to the royal household. “[Charles] will have to show that he can do that."
source: people.com
