The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, has experienced both the glamour and challenges that come with being part of the Royal Family. However, her life before marrying Prince William was not without its own difficulties. According to former classmates, the now 41-year-old faced a tough time during her secondary school years.
Reports suggest that Kate had to leave her £28,000 per year boarding school, Downe House in Newbury, halfway through the term due to severe bullying. Her classmates claim that she confided in them about being targeted and picked on for being “perfect.” The alleged bullying left Kate “thin and pale,” prompting her transfer to Marlborough College.
While the headmistress of Downe House at the time denied knowledge of serious bullying incidents, Kate’s living situation may have contributed to her struggles. Unlike her peers, she lived at home with her parents instead of boarding, as their house was nearby. This arrangement is said to have made it difficult for her to fully connect with the other girls at the school.
Kate’s pre-royal life was not as idyllic as one might assume, with her school years marred by the challenges of bullying and social isolation, experiences that many can relate to during their formative years.
The experience of Kate Middleton during her time at Downe House boarding school has been recounted by her former schoolmates. Jessica Hay, an old friend from Marlborough College, revealed to the News of the World in 2010 that Kate “hated” her time at Downe House. According to Jessica, Kate confided in her about being bullied by a group of girls who would call her names, steal her belongings, and ostracize her during lunchtime.
Jessica’s account portrays Kate as a victim of bullying, targeted for being “perfect” and “well turned out.” She described Kate as a “soft and nice person” who did not stand up for herself against the mistreatment.
Another dormmate from Marlborough College, Gemma Williamson, corroborated that Kate seemed happier after transferring to the new school at age 14. Gemma noted that Kate appeared “pale and thin” upon arrival, suggesting she had been through a difficult experience and lacked confidence.
These firsthand accounts from Kate’s former schoolmates shed light on the challenges she faced during her time at Downe House, where she allegedly endured bullying and mistreatment from her peers.
The former headmistress of Downe House, Susan Cameron, addressed the allegations of bullying during Kate Middleton’s time as a student there. In an interview with Katie Nicholls for her book “Kate: The Future Queen,” Cameron denied any knowledge of serious bullying incidents. She acknowledged that teasing and establishing a social hierarchy are common experiences during adolescence, but maintained that there were no cases of severe or prolonged bullying.
Despite these claims, bullying appears to be a cause close to Kate Middleton’s heart. As a senior royal, she has chosen to support anti-bullying charities, suggesting a personal connection to the issue. Around the time of her royal wedding, Kate and Prince William encouraged well-wishers to donate to organizations like Beatbullying instead of sending gifts, indicating their commitment to raising awareness and combating bullying.