A surprising revelation about the Princess of Wales's down-to-earth nature has challenged a previous assertion made by the Duchess of Sussex about the royal family's formality behind closed doors.
The Informal Royal Visit
Radio and television presenter Roman Kemp has shared a candid account of the Princess of Wales's visit to his father's Hertfordshire home in February 2023. The meeting was arranged after Kate, having watched Kemp's documentary on men's mental health, teamed up with him and his father, Martin Kemp, for a short film to support her Shaping Us mental health campaign.
Recalling the encounter, Roman Kemp told The Sun that the future Queen immediately put the family at ease with a simple, respectful gesture. "I remember when she arrived, she could see everyone else had taken their shoes off so she offered to take hers off," he said. "It was surreal. Somehow, you never expect to see a member of the royal family in their socks!"
Contradicting Meghan's Netflix Claim
This informal act directly contradicts a claim made by Meghan Markle in the couple's 2022 Netflix docuseries, Harry & Meghan. In the second episode, the Duchess of Sussex reflected on her first meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Meghan recalled being in ripped jeans and barefoot for the informal gathering, expecting her in-laws to similarly relax. She expressed surprise that this was not the case, stating, "I started to understand that the formality on the outside carried through on the inside." She described this perceived lack of informality as "jarring," adding that her natural tendency to hug people also seemed out of place.
A Lasting Impression and Correspondence
Roman Kemp's insights into the Princess's character did not end with the shoe anecdote. He revealed that the correspondence continued after her visit. "A few weeks later she wrote a lovely letter, which my mum has kept, thanking them and saying that Prince George loved the juice — and asking if there was any chance of more!" he shared.
Kemp also received a personal thank-you note from the Princess, which he described as amazing. "She very kindly wrote me a thank-you note too, which I have framed on my wall at home," he said, cementing the image of a thoughtful and engaged royal.
This account from a trusted broadcaster presents a contrasting narrative to Meghan Markle's experience, suggesting that within the royal family, approaches to private informality can vary significantly.
