Kate Middleton was reportedly nervous and even apprehensive about finally inheriting the late Princess Diana's royal title. She thought it was inevitable that she would be compared to Princess Diana, whose untimely death triggered a tsunami of anger and grief. And she was right," wrote Robert Jobson in his new book, "A Biography of Princess Catherine": an excerpt published in the Daily Mail.

"Kate found all such talk stressful. Indeed, it got to the point where she felt she might refuse to follow Camilla [who chose to become the Duchess of Cornwall] and be known as the Princess of Wales."

Needless to say, Princess Kate decided to take over the late Princess Diana's title in 2022, after Queen Elizabeth's death and King Charles' accession to the throne.

According to Jobson, Kate Middleton "accepted the promotion gracefully out of respect for her husband and the King."

The author added that "enough time had passed to make the title more acceptable, and Lady Catherine had been on the world stage long enough for her own qualities to be appreciated."

The stress that the future crown princess would feel following in Princess Diana's footsteps was not lost on Prince William. In a 2010 interview after Prince William and Princess Kate became engaged, the future king said that Middleton should not feel pressured to become the "next Diana," People reported at the time.

"No one is trying to take after my mother," Prince William said. It's about forging your own future and your own destiny, and Kate will do a very good job of that."

Speaking at the Diana Legacy Awards in London earlier this year, Prince William said his mother's legacy ...... He spoke about the legacy that the current Crown Prince and Princess are dedicated to honoring.

"My mother taught me that everyone has the potential to give back and that anyone in need deserves support in life. That legacy, like the 50,000 young people who have received the Diana Award over the past 25 years, is something Princess Catherine and I have tried to emphasize throughout our work."