During Princess Kate's first visit to Balmoral, the late Queen allegedly extended a significant gesture toward her. Queen Elizabeth presented Princess Kate with a daring gift when she began courting Prince William, showcasing one of her favorite pastimes: photography.
Royal author Katie Nicholl recounts that when Kate Middleton was younger, she was invited to Balmoral and brought her camera along to capture the stunning scenery. This invitation followed a brief encounter between the late Queen and Kate in 2008 at the wedding of Peter Phillips and Autumn Kelly.
In her 2013 book, *Kate: The Future Queen*, Nicholl explains that up until that point, the Queen had only met Kate briefly at the wedding. However, she made a special effort to ensure that Kate felt welcome, even granting her permission to take pictures at Balmoral. Having spent her life in the public eye, the Queen rarely let her guard down; only her closest friends and family were privy to the true Elizabeth.
The invitation to Balmoral was a clear signal from the late Queen, signaling her acceptance of Kate into the royal family and granting her the unique privilege of taking photographs on royal grounds. Following that initial visit, Kate frequently returned to the Scottish Highlands retreat, enjoying numerous summer vacations at the castle.
Since that first encounter, it appears that Princess Kate and Queen Elizabeth developed a strong friendship. In 2022, the couple relocated their small family to Windsor, reportedly due to the late Queen's wishes following Prince Philip's passing. Royal analyst Robert Jobson notes in his recent biography, *Catherine, Princess of Wales*, that they desired to maintain a close relationship with the late Queen.
According to Jobson, Catherine recognized that William's need to support his father and the late Queen during her final months made it essential for him to be physically closer to her. This decision had a significant impact, as their frequent communication—including multiple in-person meetings and weekly phone conversations—served to strengthen their bond.
