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A new royal biography about Kate Middleton is giving readers a deeper look at the relationship between her husband Prince William and father-in-law King Charles III. (Pause: How weird is it to think of the King as a father-in-law?!) Author Robert Jobson claims in Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen (which hits shelves next week!) that the King “raised concerns” with Prince William over him flying a helicopter with Kate Middleton and their kids — Prince George, 11, Prince Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.
In an excerpt obtained by The Daily Mail, King Charles apparently brought up his worries after his cancer diagnosis. He even went so far as to give his son “a formal document acknowledging the risks involved and taking full responsibility for his actions” should he ever fly his family around in a helicopter. Something he, as a trained pilot who served in the British Air Force, could certainly do.
But helicopters are a notoriously dangerous way to travel, and just think about how deeply tragic a (potentially fatal) crash would be on a human level. And then think about what it would mean for the future of the British monarchy. Would Prince Harry step up and take the crown? Would Princess Anne claim the throne?
Catherine, the Princess of Wales: A Biography of the Future Queen
And the King wasn’t the only one to raise the alarm. An aide to the royal family told Jobson that the late Queen Elizabeth II “didn’t hold back” when she asked William not to fly with his family on a helicopter from Kensington Palace to their former home, Anmer Hall in Norfolk.
Thankfully, Middleton is reportedly a “stabilizing influence” on her husbands, especially when there are disputes with her father-in-law (again…weird!), per People.
In the book, Jobson quotes an insider who said the Princess of Wales “is somebody who always tries to see both sides of any dispute” and is the “emotionally mature” one in the marriage. A courtier then told Jobson that the monarch “understands Catherine is a good influence on the entire family. He loves and truly appreciates everything she does.”
It’s unclear just where Middleton stands on the Great Helicopter Debate, but it sounds like as an “emotionally mature” “stabilizing influence,” she probably has a strong grasp on how to navigate this situation and come to a consensus with her husband on what is best for their family.
Before you go, check out Prince William’s most endearing dad moments.
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