The Princess of Wales held a private meeting with Melinda French Gates, the ex-wife of billionaire Bill Gates, at Windsor Castle this week, according to reports. The meeting took place on Tuesday, although the specific topics discussed remain undisclosed.
Charity Work Likely Focus of Talks
It is believed that the two women's philanthropic endeavours may have been central to the conversation. Catherine serves as patron of the Royal Foundation, while Melinda is the founder of Pivotal, a philanthropic organisation dedicated to promoting women's empowerment. The Daily Mail reported that the nature of their private talks has not been officially confirmed.
Melinda French Gates has maintained a close bond with the Royal Family, despite the strained relationship between Bill Gates and the royals following his links to convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Gates had previously attended various royal engagements, but those ties have cooled.
Melinda's Comments on Divorce
Last year, during an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Melinda spoke candidly about her divorce from the co-founder of Microsoft. She stated that a trusted relationship requires both partners to be honest with one another. “And if you can't, you can't have intimacy, and you can't have trust. So in the end, I had to go,” she explained, citing a lack of honesty as a key factor in the split.
Busy Week for Princess of Wales
The meeting comes after a busy period for the Princess of Wales. Last week, she attended the Garter Day Service in Windsor and made her return to Royal Ascot after a two-year absence. Her schedule continues to reflect her active role within the Royal Family and her commitment to charitable causes.
