KEY POINTS

  • Kate Middleton made an enchanting transformation nine years after marrying Prince William
  • Middleton's first speech appeared over-coached
  • Prince William gave Middleton a special ring early on in their relationship

Kate Middleton made a massive transformation after almost a decade of marriage with Prince William.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be celebrating their ninth wedding anniversary on Wednesday. Looking back, Middleton was very shy when she was still a new member of the Firm. However, the future Queen has changed over time and has become more confident. Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams also noticed Middleton’s transformation.

“Since their marriage in 2011, Kate, who once seemed shy when speaking in public, has matured enchantingly,” he told Express.

“She was always a fashion icon and whatever she wore sparked global interest. Her appearances, whether live or, more recently, virtual, have a new spontaneity. She has a strong sense of duty and is deeply committed to the charitable causes she espouses, especially those involving children and mental health charities.”

Fitzwilliams also commended the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge for doing well in communicating with the people, especially those involved in the fight against coronavirus. He added that Prince William and Middleton’s appearances have both “humor and compassion.”

Body language expert Judi James also revisited Middleton’s first speech. According to her, it didn’t reflect Middleton’s natural “stardust” because she appeared over-cautious. It seemed that Middleton wanted to avoid making mistakes so her speech sounded “over-coached,” which angered the expert.

“Kate’s first speech as Duchess of Cambridge made me angry because -- although she looked delightful -- her stilted, over-cautious delivery suggested she had been over-coached to the point where we weren’t being allowed to see anything of the real Kate,” James said.

In related news, Prince William reportedly gave Middleton a special ring early on in their relationship. The royal mom of three waited for almost a decade before Prince Harry’s brother proposed to her prompting some to call her “Waity Katie.” However, it turned out that even when they were still attending St. Andrews University, she already received a ring from the future king.

According to Eddie LeVian, CEO of LeVian, Prince William gave Middleton a beautiful, delicate ring with their birthstones. Middleton didn’t wear it often, but she did on her graduation day.

“Even though Kate graduated in 2005, and the couple married much later in 2011, this ring goes to prove that William was smitten with Kate even in those early days,” LeVian explained.