Kate Middleton Responds After Being Mistaken for Prince William’s Assistant.
The woman who will be Britain’s next queen takes the occasional public faux pas in stride.
While visiting a Wales care home during the Covid Pandemic, an elderly resident asked Prince William, “Is that your assistant?”
At the time, Prince William and Kate Middleton were both wearing masks, so it could have been an honest mistake.
The Princess of Wales had a cheeky reaction to the mix-up.
Without missing a beat, Kate playfully told her husband, “Well, I am your assistant. I have been for a long time!” The couple, who met at St Andrews University in 2003, married in May 2011.
Fortunately, the now-Princess of Wales “has always seen her role as a supporting one,” The Times reported last year. She allegedly acts as “a gatekeeper to ensure that William can do his work, while also finding time to be a hands-on father.” William and Kate share three children: Prince George, 12; Princess Charlotte, 11; and Prince Louis, 8.
In addition to raising the royal children, Kate also has public duties of her own. Earlier this week, the princess traveled to Reggio Emilia, Italy on behalf of the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The foundation, which raises awareness of the impact early childhood experiences can have on kids’ lives, was founded in 2021.
The visit was Kate’s first international trip since being diagnosed with cancer in March 2024. However, after months of treatment, the princess announced she was in remission and able to return to her royal duties.
During a visit to the Colchester Hospital in July 2025, Kate shared about her life post-treatment. “You have to find your new normal and that takes time,” she said. “It’s a roller coaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be. The reality is you go through hard times.”
Around the same time, Kate’s father-in-law was also diagnosed with cancer. Reportedly, King Charles “responded exceptionally well to treatment.”
The story of the Princess of Wales being mistaken for her husband’s assistant has recently resurfaced, though the incident actually took place back in 2020. While visiting the Shire Hall Care Home in Cardiff, Kate and William met with a resident named Joan Drew-Smith. Because the royal couple was wearing face masks due to COVID-19 protocols, Joan didn't immediately recognize the Princess. Pointing at Kate, she bluntly asked William: "Is that your assistant?"Kate didn't miss a beat. She laughed, placed a hand on William’s shoulder, and replied: "Well, I am your assistant! I have been for a long time!"Why this is trending againThe anecdote has gained fresh traction in May 2026 as part of a "new chapter" for the couple. Following Kate’s return to royal duties after her successful cancer treatment and her recent international trip to Italy, royal commentators have been highlighting her "unshakable" bond with William. The joke is often cited as a perfect example of her "supporting role" philosophy—one she reportedly modeled after the late Prince Philip, who famously viewed himself as a "gatekeeper" and primary support for the monarch. Other highlights from that visit:The Bingo Critique: Before the assistant comment, the same resident, Joan, told the couple they did a "bloody shtty job" as virtual bingo callers during a previous lockdown video call. William’s Reaction: Rather than being offended, William was delighted by the honesty, later telling staff, "I love Joan, she's brilliant. If only everyone was as honest as her."
Tags: Queen, Prince Charles, Camilla, Prince Louis, Prince William and Kate Middleton, Prince Charles, Prince Harry, Meghan, Lilibet
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