Despite this honor, Kate was apprehensive about taking on the title, worried that she would be compared to Diana, who was the last person to hold the Princess of Wales title before Kate. Diana’s tragic death at 36 in 1997 had a profound impact around the world.
In the revealing new book *Catherine: The Princess of Wales*, author Robert Jobson claims that Kate once considered rejecting the title. He writes that Kate was aware of the inevitable comparisons to Diana, whose untimely death had provoked immense grief and anger. This constant scrutiny was a source of stress for Kate.
Jobson notes that at one point, Kate even contemplated following Queen Camilla’s example. When Camilla married Charles, she chose to become the Duchess of Cornwall rather than take on the Princess of Wales title.
Kate and William have previously addressed the pressures of living up to Diana’s legacy. During their engagement interview in 2010, Tom Bradby asked William if Diana’s significant and iconic status was stressful. William responded that there was no pressure to replace his mother, emphasizing that Kate would contribute her own unique presence and help shape their future together.