Secrets of Kate Middleton's Long Journey to Winning Over the Royal Family After She Was Branded a 'Commoner'

Kate Middleton spent years quietly earning the confidence of Britain's most tradition-bound institution, overcoming early skepticism to become one of the most trusted figures at the heart of the royal family.

And OK! now has the inside story of how she achieved the seemingly impossible feat of winning over a royal family that initially viewed her as a "commoner."

Kate, who married Prince William, 43, on April 29, 2011, had already known the future king for nearly a decade before becoming the Princess of Wales.

Born Catherine Middleton, she entered royal life without aristocratic lineage and faced private doubts about whether she could adapt to the demands of the monarchy.

Over 14 years as a working royal, she learned its customs from the inside, with guidance from Queen Elizabeth II, who died in 2022 at age 96, and whose approval was regarded as essential to her success within The Firm.

The evolution of that relationship is explored in the Channel 5 documentary Kate and the Queen: A Special Relationship, which examines how Elizabeth gradually came to rely on her grandson's wife.

Veteran royal commentator Richard Kay said in the show the late monarch was cautious by nature.

He added: "I don't think she really trusted anyone on first impression."

Kay explained while public duty united the royal household, something more personal developed over time between Elizabeth and Kate.

He said: "(All royals were) performing the same show – the show is supporting the Queen. But with Kate and the Queen, it grew deeper than that. There was a real grandmotherly affection between the two."

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward said it was Kate's character that set her apart.

She said: "I think the Queen saw her strength and saw that she is a caring person who had this amazing affiliation to duty."

Seward added Elizabeth made the rare decision to mentor Kate personally.

She said: "I think Kate would have really appreciated the kindness and attention the Queen had given to her, and she knows better than anyone how busy the Queen is. She put time aside to make Kate feel appreciated."

Insiders tell us the two women often met privately for afternoon tea when William and Kate lived at Kensington Palace, close to Buckingham Palace.

After becoming a mother, Kate made deliberate efforts to involve Elizabeth in the lives of Prince George, now 12, as well as Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 – strengthening the family bond behind palace walls.

Kate herself reflected on the late monarch's approach to life, saying: "You would expect a lot of grandeur and a lot of fuss, but actually, what really resonates with me is her love for the simple things. And I think that's a special quality to have."

Those close to the family have said the shared appreciation for duty and restraint formed the basis of the pair's mutual respect.

Before Elizabeth's death, a source said trust had been firmly established over time.

The insider added the Queen believed Kate had demonstrated reliability and discretion, and felt confident in her future role in the royal family.

Another insider said Kate, once uneasy with public attention, had grown into a confident public figure who understood royal protocol instinctively and approached challenges with self-belief.

Royal biographer Tom Quinn said Kate's temperament reassured the institution.

He added she was calm, stable, and provided essential balance for William – and said her "very calm" and "very rational" approach, as well as her emotional steadiness, were key reasons the royal family felt secure placing its future in her hands as a future queen.