Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall 'wasn't very keen' on Kate Middleton at first and saw a ‘gap’ between her and Prince William

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall reportedly "wasn't very keen" on her stepson Prince William’s then-girlfriend Kate Middleton, in the early days of their relationship. 

• The Duchess of Cornwall "wasn't very keen" on Kate Middleton when she first met her, it's been claimed. 
• She reportedly thought there was "too much of a gap" between Prince William and Kate Middleton in the early days of their romance.
• In other royal news, this is the TV show the Queen loved to watch while coping with the death of Prince Philip. 

Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall has been an integral part of the Royal Family ever since she married Prince Charles in 2005. While some might have been initially uncertain about her, her devotion to royal duties has seen her popularity grow and the couple looks happier than ever together.

As Prince William’s step-mother she’s also understood to be very close to his children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, who call her a sweet popstar alternative to “grandma”. 

But it seems that despite her closeness with the Cambridges now, Duchess Camilla wasn’t always as sure about the relationship between Prince William and Kate Middleton. 

It’s now been claimed that Duchess Camilla, who spends much of her time residing in London's Clarence House and Highgrove House in Gloucestershire with Prince Charles, wasn't “keen” on her future step-daughter-in-law initially.

Why didn't the Duchess of Cornwall like Kate Middleton at first?

It's been said that the Duchess of Cornwall felt that Kate and Prince William's hobbies weren't similar enough, with Kate fairly uninterested in the likes of royally favored equine sports and shooting. 

It's been suggested by a royal professional that Camilla felt as though there was too much of a "gap" between the couple's interests. 

Speaking on Channel 5’s documentary, When the Middletons met the Monarchy, royal expert Tom Quinn claimed, "I'd heard that Camilla wasn't very keen on Catherine.”

He explained, "She didn't shoot, she wasn't very interested in horses particularly. There was too much of a gap and William would feel it."

"But I think it's true to say that Camilla later warmed to Catherine and recognized her solid virtues."

This certainly seems to be the case given their current family closeness paired with the fact that Prince Charles and Camilla are extremely fond of their grandchildren. 

It’s also been reported that the Duchess of Cambridge received a particularly beautiful wedding jewelry gift from Duchess Camilla, which she has been pictured wearing a number of times.

The pair are also regularly spotted laughing and grinning together, having clearly formed a close bond as members of the monarchy who will both go on to take their places in Buckingham Palace when Prince Charles and Prince William become king. 

How was Kate Middleton's upbringing different to Prince William's?

Kate Middleton was raised in Berkshire with her two siblings, James and Pippa by their parents Michael and Carole Middleton. While Prince William was brought up in the public eye as the future king and an important member of the Royal Family—an upbringing that no doubt varied greatly from his wife’s childhood experience.

The couple met at the University of St Andrews and their relationship soon blossomed. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge delighted royal fans by marrying in a ceremony at Westminster Abbey in 2011.

They are now proud parents to their three children and it’s understood the family is currently at their London home Kensington Palace, having enjoyed their Norfolk countryside retreat of Anmer Hall during the UK’s third lockdown.