Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge turned 40 in January, and the milestone inevitably marked a new era for the royal.
The mother-of-three tapped into a newfound level of confidence, as evidenced by her December piano performance, and after 11 years as a duchess Catherine is coming into her own.
In an exclusive by HELLO! magazine, several royal insiders shared intimate insights about Kate’s personality and aura.
Of course, it was no surprise that the story was filled with high praise for her dignified modesty and elegance and the Duchess of Cambridge was described as “a natural introvert”, “incredibly thoughtful” and how she “always talks with humility”.
However, one quote stood out from the chorus of praise, but for those paying attention, it has always been a crucial part of her personality – Kate is funny.
The royal insider who treated us with this endearing insight said, “She’s very self-deprecating and funny too.”
When looking back for examples of her sense of humour playing out in public, it’s deliciously clear that she has a dry British wit that leans on the power of good banter, and it also played a part in how Prince William fell in love with her.
For an absolutely delightful walk down comedic timing lane, here are the most chuckle-inducing moments that prove Kate has always been funny.
Kate Middleton
From the very beginning, Prince William warned us that Kate has wit, although, perhaps with a twang of NSFR (not suitable for royals) zing.
In their first engagement interview, William revealed that his bride to be’s similar sense of humour brought them together, but he didn’t hold back on the specifics.
“She’s got a really naughty sense of humour which really helps me because I’ve got a really dirty sense of humour, so it was good fun, we had a really good laugh, and then things happened,” he shared.
Will later joked with their interviewer about how his wit makes their relationship special saying, “It’s really easy, it’s really fun, and I am obviously extremely funny, and she loves that, so, um, it’s really good.”
But instead of laughing off his exaggerated self-congratulatory gaff, Kate quipped, “If you say so yourself.”
What’s more, when the interviewer asked if Kate had a picture of William hanging on her bedroom wall, she gave a stellar comeback.
“He wishes,” she began. “No, I had the Levi’s guy on my bedroom wall, not a picture of William. Sorry.”
Kate Middleton
Talk about a quick wit! When a fan told the duchess, “We woke at 4:30 to watch your wedding,” she reportedly replied, “I’m so sorry.”
Kate Middleton
She was self-effacing when she flexed her muscles at the launch of the Rolls Royce plant in Singapore in 2012.
Kate Middleton
In 2018 Kate was pregnant with Prince Louis, and during the launch of the Nursing Now Global campaign at St. Tomas’ Hospital, joked about Prince William’s grasp on her third pregnancy with a parent in attendance.
“Congratulations, best of luck with the third one,” said the parent.
Kate replied, “William’s in denial.”
Kate Middleton
For the opening of the UK’s military base in Cyprus, Kate made sure the soldiers knew to keep Prince William away from pizza if they wanted their furniture to survive.
“Keep the pizza off the sofas!” she warned. “You’re [William] a nightmare with that.”
Kate Middleton
Appropriately in 2016, Kate poked fun at her husband’s cheeky personality when he told school children at the launch of the Heads Together campaign that “sometimes I still feel like I am 16.”
“I still think you’re 16,” Kate perfectly responded.
Kate Middleton
Perhaps the boldest jab she has thrown at William to date happened at the Royal Easter Show at Sydney Olympic Park in 2014.
During a sheep shearing demonstration, the future King and Queen were handed some alpaca wool, and Kate made this suggestion, “You need it more than me,” all while pointing at William’s bald spot.
Kate Middleton
From what we know about their dynamic, we wonder who was cheekily copying whom.
Kate Middleton
Oh, to be a fly on the wall to hear Harry, Will, and Kate one-up each other with sneaky jabs.
Kate Middleton
We wonder what Kate was ribbing William about during this moment on their Canada tour.
Kate Middleton
Kate knew how to make light of herself by having a chuckle at her own expense while attempting to DJ in New Zealand.
Kate Middleton
A royal shrug – so, is physical comedy also in her secret bag of wit?
Kate Middleton
Kate shared a joke with her husband when drinking pints at Healey’s Cornish Cider Farm.
Kate Middleton
At the Commonwealth Games in 2014, Kate’s “naughty” humour was on display when she jokingly pretended Will was choking her with her lanyard.