EXCLUSIVE: How Prince Philip Issued Chilling Warning to Kate Middleton Before His Death to Prepare Her for Becoming Queen

Kate Middleton was given a stark warning by Prince Philip shortly before his death, which insiders tell RadarOnline.com has shaped her conduct ever since and reinforced the royal family's view of her as the ideal future Queen.

Philip, who died in April 2021 at the age of 99, is said to have taken a particular interest in preparing Kate, now 43, for the pressures that would come with her role.

His words were revealed in Gyles Brandreth's book Philip: The Final Portrait, in which the Duke of Edinburgh spelled out a rule he believed would keep her safe from the pitfalls of public scrutiny.

According to the book, Philip told Kate: "If you think the attention is on you personally, you'll end up in trouble. The focus is on your role, what you do, what you support. It's not focused on you as an individual. You're not a celebrity. You represent the royal family."

Brandreth also wrote Philip instructed her never to look at the camera, saying the late Queen Elizabeth avoided doing so, and that Kate had followed this guidance carefully.

"I have been on walkabouts with the Princess of Wales," Brandreth wrote. "She does not look at the camera. Whenever she is interviewed, Catherine talks about the matter at hand, never about herself."

A royal source said: "Philip saw something in Kate early on. He knew she would one day be Queen, and he wanted her to understand the difference between being admired and becoming the story. His message was blunt because he believed bluntness was the only way to prepare her."

Another palace insider said: "The Duke believed Kate needed armor – not arrogance, not performance, but discipline. That warning was his way of giving it to her, by telling her the spotlight could be dangerous if she ever treated it like celebrity attention."

Royal commentators have since pointed to Philip's influence when explaining why Middleton is viewed by the family as the perfect future Queen.

One senior royal aide said: "Her composure is extraordinary. She never makes it about herself. That's exactly what Philip drilled into her – and why King Charles and Prince William see her as central to the monarchy's future."

A source said: "Kate was guided by the very best. Prince Philip made sure she understood she wasn't there to be a celebrity – she was there to represent the royal family. He told her to stay focused on service, keep her attention on the work, and avoid smiling straight into the camera."

Another insider said Philip's advice was rooted in preserving the monarchy's stability.

They added Kate has followed his guidance ever since he hit her with the warning to stay composed under pressure, adding: "He urged her to keep her attention on the role – on duty and dedication – rather than on herself. That's why she's never tried to chase the spotlight or turn any of it into personal fame."