Queen Elizabeth Trusts Kate Middleton To Help Lead Future Of Royal Family, Expert Says

Queen Elizabeth II has "great trust" in her granddaughter-in-law Kate Middleton, according to a royal expert.

Joe Little, the managing editor of Majesty Magazine, told Us Weekly that the 95-year-old monarch believes Prince William's wife has what it takes to be the head of the British royal family someday. Prince William is second in line to the throne, and Duchess Kate will automatically become queen consort when her husband is crowned king.

"The queen very much regards Catherine as … a safe pair of hands," the royal expert claimed. "She’s been a member of the royal family for 10 years now. … I think given that all that’s going on in the past few years in the royal family in terms of the fallouts. … The queen has great trust in Kate."

The Queen gave the 39-year-old duchess a strong confidence boost when she bestowed her with the "royal family order," which Little said is "something that’s only given to the female members of the royal family who have been around for quite some time and are deemed to be of great support to the queen."

"I would say that the queen has great trust in the future Prince and Princess of Wales William and Catherine will be one day and, you know, in the fullness of time … King William and Queen Catherine," the expert added.

Middleton became part of the royal family when she married Prince William in 2011. The couple went on welcome three children, Prince George, 8, Princess Charlotte, 6, and Prince Louis, 3.

According to Little, the Queen has come to view Middleton as a "team player." In the decade she's spent as a working royal, the duchess has found "her own niche" within the monarchy by focusing on causes and projects that "mean a great deal to her."

Last year, an unnamed source told Us Weekly that Middleton had become a "rock" and dependable ally for the Queen amid the pandemic. In turn, Her Majesty had become the Duchess of Cambridge's go-to adviser.

"These are strange times for everyone, senior royals included, and having Kate as her rock has made it so much easier for the Queen to adapt to her new life at Windsor," the tipster said. "More than anything, knowing she can rely on Kate and Prince William to handle matters in her absence is the greatest comfort she could ask for."

Another insider told the outlet in November 2020 that Middleton has already begun planning for the future and is considering changing "some of the outdated rules" when she eventually takes over as queen consort.

"Kate has flourished into a queen in waiting in front of everyone’s eyes," the source said. "The royal family could not be more pleased."

Meanwhile, royal expert and True Royalty TV founder Nick Bullen said Middleton and Prince William are prioritizing their royal duties and their children rather than the drama surrounding the royal family. The couple will focus on their roles as ambassadors for the monarch next year, when the Queen celebrates 70 years of service.

"I think you will see Kate and William really stepping up to support the queen over the next 12 months," Bullen told Us Weekly last month.