Without Kate Middleton, the Royal Family \201cWould Crumble,\201d Royal Author Says

The institution rests on the Duchess of Cambridge’s \201cslim shoulders,\201d says Tina Brown.

Kate Middleton
(Image credit: Getty Images)

In her new book The Palace Papers, longtime royal expert Tina Brown writes “In 2011, the question mark over Kate Middleton was whether a girl of such unexalted origins could successfully evolve into a future queen. Now the only question is how the House of Windsor could survive without her.”

Now 11 years and one day since marrying into the royal family, Brown says that it’s Kate that has kept the British monarchy from collapsing, and that the institution’s future rests on her “slim shoulders.”

“[The royal family] would, I think, crumble at the moment without her because she’s the only modern, beautiful woman who’s well-educated, substantial in herself, who’s actually wanting to commit herself to the rigors of this institution,” Brown says, per Page Six. “Not many young women could do that.”

Brown says that Kate required “a lot of care and strategy to end up married to William,” much of it driven by her mother, Carole Middleton, who was “very critical” in helping Kate avoid missteps that could have ended her path to a future with Prince William.

“They were madly in love all the way through but…making it from the loving girlfriend to the future queen, that’s an obstacle course,” Brown says. “And it’s like snakes and ladders. At any moment she could have stepped on the wrong square and had a snake.”

Another longtime royal expert, Robert Jobson, whose book William at 40: The Making of a Modern Monarch comes out just in time for the Duke of Cambridge’s milestone fortieth birthday, says Kate is a calming force for the future king and a hugely positive, grounding influence.

“They’ve got a solid relationship and she gives him confidence,” Jobson says, per the Mirror. “There is no jealousy, no friction—they are happy for each other’s successes.” 

Rachel Burchfield
Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor

Rachel Burchfield is a writer, editor, and podcaster whose primary interests are fashion and beauty, society and culture, and, most especially, the British Royal Family and other royal families around the world. She serves as Marie Claire’s Senior Celebrity and Royals Editor and has also contributed to publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Glamour, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, People, Vanity Fair, Vogue, and W, among others. Before taking on her current role with Marie Claire, Rachel served as its Weekend Editor and later Royals Editor. She is the cohost of Podcast Royal, a show that was named a top five royal podcast by The New York Times. A voracious reader and lover of books, Rachel also hosts I’d Rather Be Reading, which spotlights the best current nonfiction books hitting the market and interviews the authors of them. Rachel frequently appears as a media commentator, and she or her work has appeared on outlets like NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s Good Morning America, CNN, and more. 

Read more
Prince William, Kate Middleton and then-Prince Charles during a joint visit to the defence medical rehabilitation centre (DMRC) Stanford Hall on February 11, 2020 in Loughborough, United Kingdom
Kate Middleton Reportedly Acts as the \201cGlue\201d When Prince William and King Charles Don’t See Eye-to-Eye
Carole Middleton wearing a pale blue floral dress and matching headband with a flower holding hands with Prince William, who is wearing a suit and top hat while standing in grass at Royal Ascot
How Prince William Has Found a "Traditional Family" in the Middletons: "When Things Go Wrong, They Pull Together"
Kate Middleton wears a royal blue and red cloak and a glittering crown of leaves
Kate Middleton Won't Let the "Looming Responsibility" of Becoming Queen "Take Her Away" From Her Children
Prince William and Kate Middleton attend the BAFTAs in 2020
Princess Kate and Prince William Are Set to Become a "Power Duo" in International Diplomacy
Lady Louise, Duchess Sophie, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louise and Kate Middleton on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during King Charles's coronation
The Daughter of Princess Kate's "Rock" Could Step in to Help Family Amid Royal Shortage
Kate Middleton wearing a red hat and coat with pearl necklace turning to the right and smiling
How Kate Middleton Revealed Her "Inner Steel" and Proved She Was a "Tough Cookie" During Awkward Party Moment
Latest in Royals
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso at Sentebale’s Mamohato Children’s Centre in Maseru, Lesotho in October 2024
Why Prince Harry Is So "Torn Apart" Over Resigning From His Charity
Princess Madeleine of Sweden wearing a tiara featuring emeralds
Why Princess Madeleine of Sweden Can't Use Her Royal Title to Promote Her New Skincare Line
Queen Camilla has blonde hair and is wearing a dark green shirt dress
Why Queen Camilla Has Been Issued a "Strict" Warning Regarding Her Meeting With the Pope
Meghan Markle wears blue denim jeans
Meghan Markle Confirms Skinny Jeans Are Back by Finally Revealing Her Favorite Frame Denim
Carole Middleton has blonde hair and laughs while shopping with daughter Kate Middleton
How Carole Middleton Might Step Up to Support Princess Kate Following Previous Controversies
Meghan Markle wears a white shirt and blue jeans while she carries daughter Princess Lilibet and hugs son Prince Archie
New Prince Archie Photo Proves He Takes After Dad Prince Harry in Two Very Important Ways
Latest in News
Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso at Sentebale’s Mamohato Children’s Centre in Maseru, Lesotho in October 2024
Why Prince Harry Is So "Torn Apart" Over Resigning From His Charity
Taylor Swift singing in a giant martini glass in the Bejeweled music video
How Working With Taylor Swift Was Different Than Dita Von Teese Expected
Selena Gomez red outfit
Selena Gomez Breaks Her All-Black Billionaire Dress Code for Two Inescapable Spring 2025 Color Trends
Kim Kardashian, Kris Humphries, and Kris Jenner posing with a car-shaped birthday cake at Marquee Nightclub in Las Vegas in October 2011
Kris Jenner Is Still Making Fun of Kim Kardashian for Her 72-Day Marriage
Hailey Bieber was seen leaving church in Los Angeles wearing a striped shirt and a trench coat.
Hailey Bieber Dresses for Her Tax Bracket at Church, in a $4,450 Trench Coat
Model with barely there makeup, glowy skin, and long coily hair.
Everything You Need to Know About Marie Claire’s Skin and Hair Awards