Kate Middleton and the Duchess of Cornwall have a “very close” relationship, a royal expert claims.
Earlier this week it emerged that Camilla, 74, had commissioned the Duchess of Cambridge, 40, to take her portrait for a special cover of Country Life published to mark her 75th birthday.
Vanity Fair’s Katie Nicholl told GB News this morning it was “lovely” that Camilla had asked Kate to take the snap, adding: “They’re very, very close, they really are.
Kate Middleton, 40, and the Duchess of Cornwall, 74, have a “very close” relationship, a royal expert claims
“It’s interesting isn’t it, we sat here last time and talked about the fabulous four and of course that was Harry and Meghan and William and Kate and now we’re talking about a whole different fabulous four.
“We’re talking about Charles and Camilla and William and Kate.”
According to a royal source, it was Camilla’s idea to ask Kate to take the photo and Paula Lester, Country Life’s managing director and editor, said the publication “couldn’t be happier” with the results of the photoshoot.
She added: “In fact the pictures she took were so good that we had trouble picking just three from which the Duchess of Cornwall made her final selection.”
The Cambridges and Prince of Wales and Camilla seem closer than ever after appearing more frequently as a foursome in recent months (pictured together in February).
According to Paula, Kate took the assignment “very seriously” and handled the job “incredibly professionally.”
“She called me to discuss our cover requirements and then put together a series of beautifully shot images,” Paula explained.
Kate’s decision to photograph the Duchess of Cornwall marks the latest moment of unity between the Cambridges and the Prince of Wales and Camilla.
In recent months, the four have appeared cheerful and friendly at public events, often led by Kate.
Kate is known to have a warm relationship with her father-in-law and has reportedly helped smooth the sometimes troubled relationship between the heir to the throne and his son William.
According to a royal source, it was Camilla’s idea to ask Kate to take the picture for the cover of Country Life
The Duchess was warmly welcomed into the family by Charles following her engagement to William and has been heard affectionately calling him Grandpa in public on previous occasions.
Now she’s often seen greeting him with a bright smile and kissing him on the cheek.
Poignantly, she was photographed comforting the Prince of Wales after Prince Philip’s funeral procession last year.
In January, at the personal invitation of Prince Charles, Kate accompanied him and Camilla to a visit to the Prince’s Foundation Training Center for Arts and Culture at Trinity Buoy Wharf in London.
The royal expert dubbed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge the new “fab four” along with Charles and Camilla.
It was the first time since 2012 that the trio performed without William.
And at recent anniversary events, the four have often been seen sharing a laugh.
At Trooping the Color, Camilla rode in a carriage with Kate and the three Cambridge children before the family watched the pass together from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
On the second day of the anniversary celebrations, the quartet exchanged warm greetings at the Queen’s Thanksgiving service.
Meanwhile, Kate and Will showed their family’s close bond with Camilla and Charles at the Platinum Pageant when they asked “Grandpa” to take care of a mischievous Prince Louis in a playful moment.