The Princess of Wales was ‘nervous’ and ‘apprenhensive’ before attending a 24-hour festival in Norfolk, a royal expert has claimed.
Speaking on this week’s Palace Confidential, the Daily Mail’s diary editor Richard Eden revealed how Princess Kate had to clear the night out with a security team before attending Houghton Festival last weekend.
Earlier this week, Eden revealed details of the Princess’s night out, including that she drank spicy margaritas and tipped the hospitality staff £700 after having dinner at the pop-up restaurant on Houghton Estate, which is owned by Kate and William’s friends the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley.
Speaking to host Jo Elvin on this week’s episode, he added that most of Kate’s activities are ‘planned quite far in advance’ and must be approved by security – so she had to wait for the visit to be approved first.
He added that, after William was spotted on a cheeky night out in Koko club in Camden recently, Kate likely thought it was her turn to party.
‘I think Catherine may have thought, ‘if [William] is going for a night out with his mates, why can’t I’?’ he told Elvin.
The pair discussed how parents-of-three Kate and William, now 41, were party animals back in their day, frequenting the likes of exclusive nightclubs like Mahiki in central London.
‘They’ve probably reached a point where they’re getting a bit nostalgic,’ Eden said.
This week, a photo of Princess Kate at the festival emerged where she could be seen holding a drink while chatting to two other festival-goers.
Dressed in all-black, she opted for a top with a bardot neckline and statement earrings, while donning her favourite trainers, Vejas.
It was reported that she was convinced to attend the festival while having dinner at Houghton Hall with the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, when someone suggested she visit.
Elsewhere in this week’s episode, Elvin and Eden discussed Prince William’s decision not to travel to Australia to watch the Lionesses play Spain in their first ever World Cup Final.
The Prince of Wales who is president of the FA, has received flak after it was revealed he would not be making the journey, despite being a vocal supporter of the women’s game.
The Daily Mail’s Diary Editor Richard Eden (pictured) told the programme that the Princess had to have her visit cleared by security
Veteran royal journalist Phil Dampier was among those criticising William, as he wrote on social media: ‘If Prince William as President of the FA isn’t going to the Women’s World Cup final we should be told why not.
‘It’s a long way and Australia hasn’t had a visit by him or The King since Charles came to the throne. That’s the problem. If the final was in Europe he’d be there!’
Jumping to William’s defence, Eden said the Prince was in a difficult position as both an advocate for women’s football and an outspoken voice in fighting the threat of climate change.
Noting that he ‘gets criticised for making unnecessary journeys’, Eden said: ‘The prospect of him travelling all the way to Australia and back to watch a 90 minute football match – he would be criticised, probably.’
However, both Elvin and Eden added the Prince of Wales will find himself under increased pressure to make the trip to Sydney if the Spanish royals attended – which according to Eden, is a real possibility.
He said: ‘King Felipe and Queen Letizia are great supporters of their team. They’re a very sporty couple… I have heard they may be going.’
Since the episode was filmed, it has been confirmed that Queen Letizia and her daughter Infanta Sofia, 16, will fly to Australia to support the Spanish women’s team at Statdium Australia in Sydney.