Camilla Didn't Think Kate Middleton Was "Worthy" of Joining the Royal Family, Was "Behind" Her Split From Prince William, Royal Expert Claims
What in the aristocratic nonsense...


Surprise, surprise: Members of the Royal Family sometimes think in terms of social hierarchies. I know, I'm just as shocked as you are.
Back in 2016, royal expert Christopher Andersen claimed that Camilla Parker-Bowles had been the driving force behind Prince William and Kate Middleton's 2007 breakup. Why? Because she didn't think the young woman was noble enough.
"I was in London when the breakup [of William and Kate] occurred. I was shocked, completely stunned, everyone thought it was only a matter of time before William was going to ask Kate to marry him. And then people started telling me that Camilla was behind it," Andersen told The Daily Beast (via Express).
He explained, "Camilla is a bit of a snob," adding, "She’s an aristocrat, she has always been moving in royal circles. She had always thought of herself as the heiress to Alice Keppel, her great-grandmother, who was the mistress of Edward VII.
"She was very proud of that connection, she boasted about that as a child and as an adult and that’s what she intended to be; part of the royal circle in the role of mistress to the future King, and then the King."
O...K? Anyway, because of this opinion, Camilla apparently didn't think that Middleton was good enough for Prince William
"She did not look at Kate as someone who was worthy of joining the Royal Family," Andersen claimed.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"Kate is the first working-class woman to be accepted into the Royal Family. She is descended from coal miners and her mother was a flight attendant."
(BTW, to call Princess Kate a "working-class woman" is a stretch and a half. Not only does she have aristocratic ancestry, but her family is exceedingly wealthy in its own right, and she was educated at a series of exclusive private schools.)
Regardless, the now-Queen Consort apparently still felt Middleton's heritage was insufficient. "So for all those reasons Camilla never really felt that Kate Middleton as an individual and the Middleton family as a whole were going to be worthy of entering into the Royal Family," Andersen said.
"I was told at the time of the breakup, and later on as well, that Camilla basically whispered in Charles’s ear that it was really time to make—to force—William to make a decision one way or the other.
"It has been since confirmed publicly that Charles did suggest to William that he either make a commitment to Kate or basically set her free, as it were. Now, his motives for doing that may have been pure but Camilla’s…not so much. She was the instigator of this."
So that's fun?

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
In 'Sinners,' Music From the Past Liberates Us From the Present
In its musical moments, Ryan Coogler's vampire blockbuster makes a powerful statement about Black culture, ancestry, and art.
By Quinci LeGardye
-
Kendall Jenner Has the Last Word on the Best Travel Shoes
Leave your ballet flats in your checked bag.
By Halie LeSavage
-
Prince Harry Gave Nephew Prince Louis an Extremely Rare Five-Figure Gift for His Christening
Uncle Harry for the gifting win.
By Kristin Contino
-
Actress Reveals that Queen Camilla "Stormed Out" of a Dinner After King Charles Made "Sexy" Comments
Soap star Carli Norris shared the hilarious story in a new interview.
By Kristin Contino
-
How Princess Kate and Prince William are Following in The King and Queen's Footsteps With Surprise Anniversary Celebration
The Prince and Princess of Wales will mark their 14th anniversary on April 29.
By Kristin Contino
-
Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis Secretly Spent Easter With Princess Kate's Parents
The little royals were spotted in Sandringham, and hot cross buns were allegedly involved.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Prince William Has "No Time For" Uncle Prince Andrew, Per Royal Source
The Prince of Wales is said to be "one of the driving forces " behind keeping Andrew out of royal life.
By Kristin Contino
-
The "Nerve-Racking" Meeting King Charles's Cousin Had With Princess Diana
"I could have been a complete idiot."
By Amy Mackelden
-
Why Kate Middleton "Lets Louis Run Wild," But Not Prince George and Princess Charlotte
"Louis has won the hearts of many people with his antics."
By Amy Mackelden
-
An Unexpected Senior Royal Is Set to Attend Pope Francis's Funeral at the Vatican
King Charles—who paid tribute to the pontiff on social media—is unlikely to attend.
By Amy Mackelden
-
Why Princess Kate and Prince William's Easter Absence Made Prince Andrew's Return a "Lot Easier"
"There is, I'm told, quite a lot of friction between them."
By Amy Mackelden