Kate Middleton is one of the most public figures in the world. Her friends, however, think if it was up to her, the Duchess of Cambridge wouldn't have chosen a public life for herself.
Her love for Prince William is what led her down this path. Certainly, when the two briefly split before getting engaged, there was a chance for Kate to decide whether or not royal life was for her. But the sources claim it was never a question. Once Kate fell for William, she was ready to roll with the punches, wherever that life took them.
Kate's friends believe that if not for William, her life would be much more quiet and reclusive.
Kate's friends believe her inner homebody would have won out if she hadn't fallen in love with a royal.
"There is no way Catherine would be doing anything in public life if she hadn't fallen in love with William. She is very open about that," a source told the Daily Mail.
"Public life is full of extroverts, people who seek the limelight and enjoy it," the source continued.
"And she isn't one of them."
Kate's nature is to focus on home and family, but her friends believe she's balancing it with royal duties impeccably, even if it isn't her ideal.
"She doesn't want to go parties and would prefer to live the quiet life at home with her family," the source noted.
"But she did fall in love with a prince and they have developed into a really good team."
"William and their children are the center of her world and nothing works without her family," the source stresses.
"They have worked hard together as a couple to create a balance [between their public and private lives] and whatever comes next, they are doing it from a place of stability."
The point of stability is important, especially in the face of all the indications of instability in both the royal family and the relationship. Still, Kate's friend believes the way that they have evolved as a couple over time has helped them through the hardest times.
"They met at the beginning of university. They were still young and have grown up together," another source notes.
"And they still get on really well, they have similar interests and they enjoy doing the same things."
While the pressures from the outside — and of their future and all it brings — can be overwhelming for the couple, they take comfort in the refuge of the simplest moments of their family life.
"Catherine and William are most in their element when they are out in their wellies in the sticks, muddy and scruffy with the kids," the source says.
"They love that side of their life together. They have the same brilliant sense of humour, they tease each other, they have fun together still and there is huge comfort and security in the longevity of their relationship for both of them.
"Behind closed doors family life is pretty simple, really. For William, having a really solid family life is so important and he loves Catherine for giving him that."
