In a touching revelation from Prince Harry's memoir, a specific and surprisingly personal compliment the late Queen Elizabeth II regularly paid to the Princess of Wales has come to light. The detail offers a charming glimpse into the warm relationship shared between the former monarch and her future successor.
The Royal Compliment
According to the Duke of Sussex, his grandmother, the Queen, was particularly admiring of one aspect of Princess Catherine's appearance. Queen Elizabeth II would often comment on 'Kate's beautiful mane', a three-word phrase that highlighted her appreciation for the Princess's long, dark, and curly hair.
Prince Harry disclosed this personal detail in his book, Spare, recalling that both his father, King Charles, and the late Queen preferred it when women wore their hair down. This preference was part of the reason he suggested his then-fiancée, Meghan Markle, wear her hair loose for her first meeting with the King and Queen Camilla.
A Deepening Bond
This sartorial admiration was just one facet of a much deeper connection between Catherine and the late monarch. Their relationship was explored in the Channel 5 documentary, Kate and The Queen: A Special Relationship.
Richard Kay of the Daily Mail commented on the unique dynamic, noting, "with Kate and the Queen it grew deeper than that, there was a real grandmotherly affection between the two." This sentiment was echoed by royal author Ingrid Seward, who suggested the Queen recognised Kate's strength, caring nature, and strong sense of duty.
The late Queen was understood to be a supportive mentor to the Princess of Wales, actively preparing her for her future role as Queen Consort. Their bond, which began with formal royal duty, evidently evolved into a relationship marked by genuine fondness and mutual respect.
