Kate Middleton almost didn’t become the Princess of Wales. According to an upcoming royal biography, the future queen considered not using the title once held by her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. Why? Because the constant comparisons became “stressful.”

Kate became the new Princess of Wales when King Charles took the throne

The start of King Charles III’s reign in September 2022 signaled a new chapter not only for the monarchy but also for Kate. She became the Princess of Wales, a title not used since Princess Diana some 20-odd years earlier. Meanwhile, Prince William took the title his father had for decades—the Prince of Wales, which is traditionally given to the monarch’s eldest son.

King Charles announced the title change in his first address as monarch in the days after Queen Elizabeth II’s death.

“With Catherine beside him, our new Prince and Princess of Wales will, I know, continue to inspire and lead our national conversations, helping to bring the marginal to the center ground where vital help can be given,” he said.

She considered ‘refusing’ to be known as the Princess of Wales due to constant Diana comparisons

In an extract of Catherine, the Princess of Wales, out Aug. 6, 2024, author Robert Jobson claimed Kate considered declining the title.

“In marrying the elder son of Prince Charles, Catherine was aware she’d one day have to tread in her late mother-in-law’s footsteps—but the prospect of becoming the Princess of Wales held little appeal,” Jobson wrote (via Daily Mail).

“She knew she’d inevitably be compared with Diana, whose untimely death had provoked such a tsunami of anger and grief. And she was right. The similarities and differences between the two women were dissected ad infinitum, and even discussed in the royal household,” he continued.

The author went on to say the constant comparisons made the now-42-year-old consider not using the title. “Kate found all such talk stressful,” he wrote. “Indeed, it got to the point where she felt she might follow [Queen] Camilla (who opted to become Duchess of Cornwall) in refusing—when the time came—to be known as HRH Princess of Wales.”

The palace ‘encouraged’ Kate to dress like Princess Diana

Princess Diana, King Charles III, and Prince William; Kate Middleton Prince William, and Prince George | Anwar Hussein/WireImage

Although Kate might’ve had her own doubts, the possibility of constant comparison may not have worried the palace. Why? According to another royal book, Omid Scobie’s Endgame, courtiers “encouraged” Kate and her sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, to channel Diana as much as possible with their fashion choices.

“During the past thirteen years, Diana cosplay has become a royal staple,” Scobie wrote in his 2023 book. The palace put a “huge amount of effort” into getting Kate and the Duchess of Sussex to dress like Diana. The hope, he explained, was that the public would make positive comparisons to the late royal.

The women have occasionally made nods to some of Diana. Sometimes they do it by wearing her jewelry or sporting a similar style of clothing.

However, both Kate and Meghan have their own distinct styles, which they’ve become known for over the years. Pantsuits are now synonymous with Kate, as is mixing high and low items. Meanwhile, Meghan is known for sporting relaxed styles, a mainly neutral color palette, and only the rare bold color moment.