Kate Middleton's Strategy In Her Work As Duchess Revealed

Kate Middleton took her time in educating herself on what she needed to learn when it come to her role in the monarchy, according to a report.

In a piece commemorating Middleton's 40th birthday, Roya Nikkhah, royal editor of The Sunday Times, spoke to friends, aides and sources who gave their insights into how the Duchess of Cambridge has been preparing for her role as the future queen consort.

Middleton's work as a senior member of the British royal family has drawn some criticism over the years, especially after her sister-in-law Meghan Markle joined the Firm. Royal fans praised the latter for hitting the ground running and slammed the Duchess of Cambridge for having fewer appearances and rarely giving speeches, accusing her of being lazy. Tabloids even dubbed Middleton "Duchess Dolittle."

One anonymous insider told The Sunday Times that all of it was part of Middleton's strategy. The duchess didn't want to rush things and instead took her time in educating herself about her role after marrying Prince William in 2011.

During her first few months as a member of the royal family, Middleton thought carefully about what to focus her work on, according to Rebecca Priestley, a confidante and former advisor to the duchess.

While many charities were clamoring for Middleton's attention, the duchess took on a "listen and learn" approach before making decisions, said Priestley, who worked with the royal between 2011 and 2017.

"Catherine knows every decision is for the rest of her life, everything is for the long game," Priestley told the Sunday Times. "She was aware she wasn’t an expert in any one field and she wanted to educate herself first, then shine a spotlight where needed. It was a ‘listen and learn’ approach rather than immediately becoming patron of a charity. We did a lot of under-the-radar visits before the public engagements."

The former director of the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) also recalled how Middleton came to cover her role as patron of the organization in her early years as a member of the royal family. Sandy Nairne was approached by the duchess' team in late 2011.

Middleton, an art history graduate and accomplished photographer, "clearly knew what she was talking about" when they met, according to Nairne.

"The gallery had never had a royal patron or any patron, the ethos was it was a gallery for the nation, so the feeling was the idea of a 'royal patron' didn’t sit right," Nairne told the Sunday Times. "I hesitantly rang her office and said we’d love to have her but would she mind just being patron, not royal patron? She completely got it."

Meanwhile, an unnamed source recently told People that Middleton "always" steps up to the plate when she is needed, even if it means juggling an increased workload while homeschooling Prince George, 8, and Prince Charlotte, 6, and caring for 3-year-old Prince Louis.

"She is an adoring mother, and she is contributing publicly in the way we would want her to," a royal household source told the outlet. "You see it more and more. The young student has turned into our future Queen."