Kate Middleton is reportedly more inspired by King Charles than by her husband, Prince William, according to a former royal staff member who worked closely with the monarch for two decades.
Jack Stooks, who served at King Charles’s country estate, Highgrove, shared new insights into the warm connection between the Princess of Wales and her father-in-law. Speaking to Marie Claire, Stooks described how the two share a deep appreciation for the outdoors and a love of gardening.
“Kate loves to be outdoors, and she’s very into gardening. More so than William,” he said. “I’d often see her walking around the gardens at Highgrove and admiring Charles’s vision or even his own handiwork.” He added, “She’s clearly been inspired by him, as well as her own family’s love of nature.”
According to Stooks, the King’s hands-on approach to his gardens has long earned admiration within royal circles. “He loves a garden. Whenever he has spare time, he’s out gardening. He’ll find jobs to do, like weeding areas, removing docks or nettles, or pruning overhanging branches,” he said.
Stooks went on to describe the monarch’s genuine passion for horticulture. “He’s not afraid to get his hands dirty! When you see him planting trees at events, it’s clear he knows exactly what he’s doing,” he explained.
Observers have often noted that King Charles’s enthusiasm for environmental preservation and organic farming has influenced the younger generation of royals. For Kate, that influence seems to extend to both her personal and public life.
The Princess of Wales has showcased her passion for gardening on several occasions. Most notably, she co-designed the Back to Nature garden for the 2019 Chelsea Flower Show, an initiative aimed at encouraging children and families to connect with nature. The project highlighted her belief in the therapeutic power of the outdoors—a value she appears to share with King Charles.
Royal commentators have frequently praised Kate’s environmental awareness and her efforts to promote sustainability through royal projects. Her partnership with the King on shared causes has been described as a reflection of their mutual respect and shared vision for a modern, eco-conscious monarchy.
While Prince William has focused much of his work on conservation and global environmental issues through initiatives like the Earthshot Prize, insiders suggest that when it comes to gardening and hands-on nature work, Kate’s inspiration comes directly from her father-in-law.
Their shared passion for the natural world continues to strengthen the bond between King Charles and the future queen—rooted, quite literally, in a love of the land.