Kate Middleton’s selfless move anchored Prince William in late Queen’s final months

It’s just a matter of days before the Royal Family will have to face a difficult milestone – the second anniversary of the late Queen’s death.

Elizabeth II died on September 8, 2022, at the age of 96, after spending her final days at her beloved Balmoral home. In the aftermath of her death, her grandson Prince William paid a poignant tribute to his grandmother, saying: “While I will grieve her loss, I also feel incredibly grateful. I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade.”

As heir to the throne, William spent a lot of time with the late Queen, who would have been able to pass on her wise advice thanks to her incredible 70-year reign. And according to a book, William was able to spend time with his grandmother in the final months thanks to a move fully supported by wife Kate.

In the weeks before her death, William, Kate and their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis left their London home of Kensington Palace and made the move to Windsor to Adelaide Cottage. The big move meant their children could attend their new school Lambrook – but it also meant they were a lot closer to the late Queen, who at the time, was spending much of her time at her other much-loved home, Windsor Castle.

In the book, Catherine, The Princess of Wales: The Biography, royal expert Robert Jobson writes: “[Prince William] knew his time with his grandmother was precious and he is delighted they, as a couple, made that decision.”

He added: “Catherine understood that for William, as a future king, it was important for him to be geographically closer to the late Queen in her final months when he was required to support both her and his father. It made a real difference. They were in regular contact, seeing each other in person and speaking on the phone several times a week, bringing them even closer.”