Queen’s ‘stinging’ remark about Kate Middleton’s holiday

Before settling into the royal family, the Princess of Wales had often been seen on a lavish holiday.

William and Kate were spotted vacationing on the Caribbean island of Mustique with the Middleton family, or on a couple’s ski trip in the Alps.

While their jet-set lifestyle seemed dreamlike to many, it failed to impress the late Queen, who apparently expressed her concern about the number of vacations her future granddaughter would take each year.

Perhaps knowing that William and Kate would soon be engaged, the Queen insisted that the princess-to-be should get a job rather than hopping from country to country.

The stern words of advice would have ‘stung’ Kate, Royal expert Katie Nicholl has suggested.

She wrote in her 2010 book William and Harry: ‘When she wasn’t with William in Balmoral, the couple were skiing or on holiday in Mustique.

“Kate was there so often that the press dubbed her ‘Queen of Mustique’, a title that previously belonged to Princess Margaret.”

Princess Margaret’s gorgeous three-acre mansion, Les Jolies Eaux, or Beautiful Waters, became her haven from the world’s control after her marriage to the late Lord Snowdon imploded.

She later said it was the only place she could “really relax.”

When Kate was on her way to the island In the 2000s, Britain was heading for a recession, and “such frivolous displays of wealth were unpalatable to the Queen,” said Nicholls.

She added: “While the rest of the world speculated that an engagement was imminent for William and Kate, the Queen felt an announcement should be postponed until Kate had a permanent job.”

A source quoted in the book added: ‘It is Her Majesty’s opinion that if Kate one day becomes William’s consort she will need a good job.

“Flying from one five-star resort to another is not a prerequisite for a young woman who may be destined to be queen.”

Since the Queen’s word of warning, the Princess and Prince William have holidayed on the Caribbean island, but they’ve also taken more staycations, including trips to their Norfolk, the Isle of Scilly and Balmoral. Pictured: The couple on a beach in Belize during their royal tour of the Caribbean

Princess Margaret once said the island was the only place she could ‘really relax’. She had a ten-acre mansion there called Les Jolies Eaux, or Beautiful Waters, which became her safe haven after her marriage to the late Lord Snowdon imploded. Pictured: Princess Margaret in Mustique in 1985

The Queen suggested that the future princess reduce the number of vacation days and find a “real job” instead, a source said. Pictured: The Queen and Duchess of Cambridge on a visit to Nottingham in 2012

It’s clear that since they got married and had their three children, the royal couple have taken the Queen’s advice to heart.

While they’ve since holidayed on the Caribbean island, they’ve also taken more staycations, including trips to their Norfolk, the Isle of Scilly and Balmoral.

The family will also avoid traveling abroad with their young children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, according to OK! magazine.

Instead, they will be holidaying at their Norfolk royal residence, Amner Hall, rather than going out every summer.

The royal expert told the magazine: ‘Summer holidays in Anmer are the perfect way for Kate and William to relax.

“If there are royal engagements for them, they will be few and far between.

While in the past we’ve seen the pair enjoying more luxurious holidays, skiing or visiting sunnier climes, they’ve adopted a more traditional royal approach and instead spent their time in royal residences across the UK.

“Obviously this could be due to Covid travel restrictions, but I also believe that Kate and William are transforming into the future King and Queen and are therefore adopting more traditional practices.”