Kate Middleton has built a close-knit circle of friends since her time at the University of St Andrews, many of whom are also part of the upper echelons of British society
07:00, 23 Dec 2025Updated 07:32, 23 Dec 2025
Kate is adored by both members of her family and her close circle of friends(Image: WireImage)
She may be our future Queen, but Kate is famously understated when it comes to her social life. Yet behind the scenes, she has an incredibly loyal group of close friends, many of whom she’s known since childhood and the University of St Andrews. “Kate has a very tightknit circle,” royal expert Katie Nicholl says. “She keeps it close and has a small group of female friends, many of whom are based in Norfolk. Some of her old school friends have become lifelong friends, and she and William have a really strong support network that they absolutely trust.”
These include Hannah Carter and Emilia Jardine-Paterson, who Kate befriended when boarding at Marlborough College. While Hannah is godparent to Prince Louis, interior designer Emilia is godmother to Prince George, and it’s thought she helped Kate with fabric choices at their country bolthole, Anmer Hall.
Lady Laura Meade and Zoe Warren are in Kate’s closest circle of loyal friends(Image: Getty Images)
Both Kate and William have a solid friendship network in Norfolk, where they adore spending quality time with loved ones. Other local confidantes include fashion designer Rosie van Cutsem and her husband William, a Duchy advisor and godfather to Prince George. Also nearby is Lady Laura Meade, whose husband James was one of William’s best men at their wedding.
Both families are closely entwined, with Laura acting as godmother to Louis, and James as godfather to Charlotte. Sophie Snuggs (née Carter), sister-in-law of Hannah Carter, is another Norfolk native and long-time friend. She’s been skiing with the royals, and George and Charlotte acted as pageboy and flower girl when she married husband Robert in 2018.
Of course, friendship is more important than ever during challenging times, and Kate’s inner circle were a staunch support during her illness. “She has people around her who she can trust implicitly, and her friends have been incredibly loyal,” adds Katie. “She’s really needed them, and they’ve been there for her.”
Lady Laura Meade, Lucy van Straubenzee, Alizee Middleton and Kate’s mum Carole Middleton have been amongst her biggest supporters(Image: Getty Images)
Behind the scenes, long-time nanny Maria Borrallo and former stylist Natasha Archer are also confidantes. Natasha worked for Kate for over a decade, during which time she’s said to have become a “loyal and devoted” friend. She has supported Kate through royal tours, weddings and was one of a few people to visit her in hospital after she gave birth to Prince George.
But family also means the earth to Kate, and her parents and siblings play a vital role in her life. While Carole and Michael are hands-on grandparents, she also has an unbreakable bond with younger siblings Pippa and James.
“First and foremost, Kate is hugely close to her parents, her brother and her sister,” says Katie Nicholl. “They are her absolute go-to, and they are always there for her.”
While Kate’s family closely guard her privacy, James has talked openly about the depth of friendship between the trio, calling Kate his “incredible sister.” After her cancer diagnosis he posted a childhood snapshot of the pair climbing together to Instagram, with the words, “Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too.”
Her sister Pippa is also one of her closest confidentes(Image: Getty Images)
Born just 20 months apart, Kate and Pippa are as much best friends as they are sisters. The pair shared a Chelsea flat after university and, during their twenties, were often spotted partying on nights out. Of course, Pippa then famously took a starring role on Kate’s big day, when she provided invaluable support as her maid of honour.
“We spend a lot of time together,” Pippa has said. “We still do a lot together as a family. And I think that’s really the heart for all of us is having a really close family that we can sort of be normal with each other, treat each other normally. And that’s sort of kept us all, you know, affixed to the ground.”
With six young children between them, the sisters see each other as often as their busy schedules allow. And, tellingly, it was Pippa who accompanied Kate to her memorable Wimbledon appearance in 2024, when she received a standing ovation. It was a big moment for the princess, for it was only the second time she had appeared in public since her cancer diagnosis earlier that year.
Of course, Kate is incredibly fond of her extended family too. Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall might be William’s first cousin, but the equestrian is also close to Kate. The pair are often snapped sharing a laugh at royal occasions, and Zara was the only royal to become a godparent to Prince George.
Kate has also built strong bonds with Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, King Charles and Queen Camilla, who is said to have given her advice and guidance over the years. Touchingly, Camilla even gave the princess a gold charm bracelet engraved with “C”, the initial they both share. She also entrusted Kate, who is a talented photographer, to take the official photos to mark her 75th birthday in 2022. “She did really good pictures, she does it very naturally. We had a lot of fun,” she later shared.
Katie Nicholl says the Princess of Wales is ‘absolutely loved’ by the royal family(Image: Getty Images)
“Kate is absolutely loved by all members of the royal family,” says Katie Nicholl. “She has a lovely relationship with the Queen and is very close to the Duchess of Edinburgh. They spend a lot of time together in Norfolk, particularly during the festive season.”
But perhaps Kate’s biggest ally is King Charles, who has referred to her as his “beloved daughter-in-law”. Not only are they both passionate about the great outdoors, but they’ve recently faced cancer together. “I think Kate’s greatest supporter is the King,” says Katie Nicholl. “He’s incredibly fond of his daughter-in-law and loves her dearly. They now also share this special connection, because both of them have been through their own cancer journey.”
Now, as she looks to another year in the public eye and casts off the shadow of her illness, Kate will no doubt be drawing her allies even closer. And, as she said in a video for her Shaping Us campaign, “Healthy, happy relationships are the foundation for all of us.”
The Princess of Wales
After a tumultuous time, the Princess of Wales is relishing the exciting year ahead. As she marks her 44th birthday on 9 January 2026, this special edition of OK! unpacks how Kate is embracing her royal destiny.
We delve into her strong and loving marriage to Prince William ahead of their 15th wedding anniversaryWe explore the most special people in Kate’s life, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince LouisWe also look at how the princess will take on her future role of Queen, and look back at her life in pictures
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