The Middletons took Prince William to the local pub when he was dating Kate
The Middletons took Prince William to their local pub for dinner when he was dating Kate, the landlord has revealed.
Carole and Michael Middleton chose their regular haunt of The Old Boot Inn in Bucklebury, Berkshire, for a family meal in the early days of the couple’s relationship.
The pub landlord, John Haley told a Channel 5 documentary: “Two tables were book this particular evening, the second table was for their security.
“Kate walked in, she said ‘hi John, how are you?’
“She said ‘oh this is William, William, John’, and I shook hands, said ‘nice to meet you’.
“They were just in the conservatory, having a meal, the press came in the front but they didn’t even know they were there.”
Haley was invited to the royal wedding in 2011, and revealed he met Prince George soon after he was born.
The programme, When the Middletons Met the Monarchy, also explored the lengths the Duchess of Cambridge’s family went to to make sure their daughter’s new relationship was kept quiet.
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Claudia Joseph, who has written a biography about Kate, said Carole called members of the family to tell them to “be on their guard” should they be asked about Kate’s relationship.
Jennie Bond, royal correspondent, said: “They must have been dying to tell people, but I think they kept it to a very tight circle.”
Speaking about the role which Kate has grown into, etiquette expert William Hanson said she was the “template” for people who marry into the Royal Family.
The experts also weighed in on whether the royals or the Middletons would have more influence on the younger Cambridges - Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte.
Author Tom Quinn said: “I suspect everyone thinks that in terms of the children the Royal Family will have the most influence.
“But that’s entirely wrong, the Middletons will have more influence.
“The Royal Family is too formal, too stuck in its ways.”
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Quinn also suggested Prince Charles was “shocked” and “saddened” to find the Cambridges wanted their country home to be in Norfolk, relatively far from his preferred home in Highbuy, Gloucestershire.
Their home of Anmer Hall was a gift from the Queen, and is on the Sandringham estate. It’s also some distance from Berkshire.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are currently living in Anmer Hall during the third English lockdown, where they are homeschooling their children and carrying out engagements via video and phone calls.
When the Middletons Met the Monarchy is on Channel 5, Saturday 30 January, 9:30pm.
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