Kate Middleton Reveals Something She 'Always Gets Told' at Royal Events
Kate Middleton got real about royal events - and something she struggles with even as a seasoned pro.
The Princess of Wales, 44, spoke with a small group of women during a Buckingham Palace reception commemorating Queen Elizabeth's 100th birthday on April 21. In the background, a room full of busy partygoers could be seen.
"I find these environments are really hard," Kate admitted during the intimate group chat, per a video on X. "I've also got a very soft voice, so I always get told, 'Speak up a bit louder!'"
Kate previously divulged that her nickname was "Squeak" when she was younger. During a visit to her alma mater, St. Andrew's School in Pangbourne, she asked the students if they had any pets before talking about her childhood guinea pigs.
"There was one called Pip and one called Squeak, because my sister was called Pippa and I was Squeak," Kate said in 2016, per The Mirror.
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In addition to attending the party, Kate and William shared a tribute on Instagram to commemorate Elizabeth's birthday. The longest reigning monarch died in September 2022 at the age of 96.
"Remembering Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the 100th anniversary of her birth," the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote as a caption to a slide show of photos. "Inspiring generations through a lifetime of duty."
Kate's appearance at the party marks her return to royal events after stepping away from her duties to spend Spring Break with her husband, Prince William, 43, and their three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
In addition to the birthday soiree, Kate is set to participate in Anzac Day on April 25, her return to the event after four years. The events commemorate all Australians and New Zealanders who served and died in all wars, with the day specifically marking the anniversary of Australian and New Zealand soldiers landing in Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915. The celebration in London includes a dawn service beginning at 5 a.m. in Hyde Park Corner, followed by a formal wreath-laying ceremony at the Cenotaph on Whitehall. The events conclude with a service at Westminster Abbey, featuring a separate wreath-laying ceremony at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
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Kate is expected to take a central role in this year's Anzac Day alongside Princess Anne. Prince William is also expected to be in attendance. The Princess of Wales will lay a wreath on behalf of King Charles III, who will not be in attendance as he is prepping for his upcoming state visit to the US.
Kate has attended Anzac Day two other times. In 2022, she and William stepped out together for the day. Before that, she and her brother-in-law, Prince Harry, attended together in 2019. William was in New Zealand following the Christchurch mosque attacks, and Meghan Markle was on maternity leave after giving birth to her and Harry's firstborn, Prince Archie.
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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 8:14 PM.