People News

Kate Middleton fears Queen role

Sep 24, 2007, 20:12 GMT

EPA/GEOFF CADDICK

Kate Middleton, the girlfriend of Britain's Prince William, has told friends she is terrified of becoming queen.

The 25-year-old fashion buyer - who rekindled her four-year romance with the prince in July after a brief three-month split - fears her middle-class upbringing won't meet royal courtiers expectations if she marries William, who is heir to the throne after his father Prince Charles.

One friend told Britain's News of the World newspaper: "Kate has just woken up to what the next few years could have in store. She is suddenly realising the enormity of what could lie ahead if she walks down the aisle with William. It's one thing having an on/off relationship with the prince, it's quite another thing becoming queen.

"Kate is concerned those before her who have married into the royal family have come from an aristocratic background and are from old money. She is just from a very normal middle-class family who have done exceptionally well for themselves. They don't live on a huge estate or have titles before their names."

William and Kate's relationship has gone from strength to strength since their brief split in April, but they have continued to keep a low profile.

The couple - who first met at Scotland's St. Andrews University four years ago - were conscious not to be seen together at a party at Upton Villa, Oxfordshire, recently.

A source said: "They were keeping a discreet distance from each other. By no means were they walking round hand in hand. The less they are seen together, the less pressure is put on them."

Last month, Kate and William flew separately to the Seychelles for a romantic break, their first holiday without family or friends around them.

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