Kate Middleton’s reaction to Meghan Markle success

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The Duchess of Cambridge was still William’s girlfriend in 2008 when she allegedly sent a few emails to her friends asking for a special favour. Born Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, the mother of three went by Catherine at Marlborough College but it was shortened to Kate when she started St Andrew’s.

Kate and William first met at the university and started dating while they were studying, so he likely called her Kate like everyone else.

However, according to columnist Adam Helliker in the Sunday Express, when Kate felt like things were getting serious with William, she asked her friends to stop using her nickname.

He wrote: “With Prince William’s engagement now a surefire certainty, there are intriguing signs that Kate Middleton is preparing for her future role.

“It looks like she’s taking it very seriously indeed too.

“I hear that in the past few weeks the former accessories buyer has quietly informed friends that she would like to drop the informal ‘Kate’ and in future wishes to be known by her full name: ‘Catherine.’”

One friend reportedly told Mr Helliker: “Everyone knows it’s about to happen with Kate and William, but we were a little surprised about the request to call her Catherine.

“There is a distinct feeling she has started to become very aware of her position.”

In the Sunday Express article, royal expert Daniela Elser said Middleton’s friends were “a little taken aback” by the request, even though it was made in a “gentle” and “very jokey” manner.

According to royal correspondent Rebecca English, journalists were encouraged by the Palace to call the bride Catherine at the time of the royal wedding in 2011.

However, the shortened name Kate appears to have stuck.

Ms English said: “I think they thought it was more formal, more dignified, more royal.

“And to be fair, it is the name her family refers to her.

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“Needless to say, though, they were pretty much ignored.”

At the time, Prince Charles’s press secretary Paddy Harverson denied these reports.

Kate still uses her full name in all her official royal correspondence and signs off her emails with a “C.”

Prior to her wedding, it was reported that Prince William hoped his wife would be addressed as “Princess Catherine.”

However, royal protocol prevented that from happening.

Royal historian Kenneth Rose told The Telegraph: “Kate is a commoner and could not be known as ‘Princess Catherine.’”

“However, it is up to the queen what title she gives her, and there have been one or two exceptions.

“When Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, died, the queen gave the Duchess of Gloucester the title Princess Alice.

“This was, though, to reward her for years of loyal service.”

Should William and Kate have denied their Duke and Duchess of Cambridge titles, Kate would have been addressed as “Princess William” instead just like Princess Michael of Kent.

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