![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1_Queen-Elizabeth-II-Prince-Philip-Duke-Of-Edinburgh-And-Catherine-Duchess-Of-Cambridge-Visit-Leice..jpeg\")
The Princess of Wales with the late Queen (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nIn the years before Kate married Prince William in 2011 and became a princess, the late Queen Elizabeth had a few gripes with Kate\u2019s lifestyle, prompting a stern conversation about her future<\/p>\n
07:00, 13 Sep 2025Updated 10:22, 13 Sep 2025<\/p>\n
The Princess of Wales with the late Queen (Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Before the Princess of Wales<\/a> married Prince William<\/a> in 2011 and became a senior working member of the royal family<\/a>, Kate was a fresh graduate from university and enjoying her life with her then famous boyfriend..<\/p>\n The couple enjoyed numerous holidays together, and while the world<\/a> was fascinated with their relationship and waiting for an engagement, it was reported that one person was not all too happy: the late Queen Elizabeth<\/a>.<\/p>\n While royal expert Richard Kay described Kate and the Queen as sharing a \u201cgrandmotherly\u201d bond, one book claimed there was a time that Queen Elizabeth had a small concern about the now princess.<\/p>\n During the years between when Kate and William graduated university in 2005 and their engagement in 2010, the Queen was reportedly concerned about the couple\u2019s frequent holidays and began to worry about Kate not having a job.<\/p>\n According to royal expert Katie Nicholl, the Queen was concerned about how the trips away looked to the public, given that much of the UK was struggling through a recession<\/a> at the time.<\/p>\n Writing in her book titled William and Harry, Nicholl wrote: \u201cIf Kate was not with William at Balmoral then the couple were skiing or holidaying on Mustique. Kate was there so often the press dubbed her Queen of Mustique, a title that had previously belonged to Princess Margaret.\u201d<\/p>\n Nicholl added: \u201cSuch frivolous displays of wealth were unpalatable to the Queen. While the rest of the world speculated that an engagement was on the horizon for William and Kate, the Queen believed an announcement should be postponed until Kate was settled in a career.\u201d<\/p>\n One insider told Nicholl at the time that \u201cit is Her Majesty\u2019s opinion that if Kate is one day going to be William\u2019s consort, then she needs a proper job.\u201d<\/p>\n At the time, MailOnline <\/a>reported that sources close to the Queen were concerned how the public image of Prince William, and the royal family as a whole, would slip if the future King\u2019s partner was not recognised as a working professional in her own right.<\/p>\n A senior royal aide told The Mail at the time: \u201cThe Queen has had conversations with a few trusted friends about how to tackle what is being called the Kate problem. On the few occasions the Queen has met Kate, she has thought she is a nice enough girl. But the Queen has admitted she has no idea what Kate actually does.<\/p>\n \u201cAlthough they are not yet engaged, it seems more likely than not that Kate will be a Royal bride one day, and the Queen is of the opinion that Kate should be working. She believes in a modern Monarchy and feels very strongly that the Royals should be leading by example.\u201d<\/p>\n In June 2008, three years after leaving St Andrew\u2019s University with a 2:1 in art history, Kate was working for her parents\u2019 mail-order company, Party Pieces.<\/p>\n She quit her job as an accessories buyer for Jigsaw at the end of the previous year and announced that she wanted to pursue a career as a photographer.<\/p>\n Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal<\/p>\n WHATSAPP GROUP: <\/strong>Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our Royal WhatsApp here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n![\"Kate](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/2_GettyImages-1145323830.jpg\")
The two women at the Chelsea Flower Show (Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"kate](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/1_queen-elizabeth-ii-and-the-duke-and-duchess-of-cambridge-visit-the-east-midlands.jpg\")
The two on an engagement after Kate married William(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n