Princess of Wales tells teens she 'never expected to become royal' but fell in love with William

Catherine, Princess of Wales, has revealed how becoming a member of the royal family was something she never expected – but then she met and "fell in love" with William.

Kate opened up to young people at a Dame Kelly Holmes Trust event in Bath and took on the double Olympic champion at noughts and crosses – but came out second best.

When the princess sat down for a private chat with a group of schoolgirls supported by the charity at St Katherine’s School in Bristol, she opened up the floor to questions about herself after listening to their experiences about home and school life.

Asked if she wanted to be a “royal” by a pupil, the princess replied it was something she had not expected but she “fell in love” with William.

Commenting afterwards about the pupils’ chat with the princess, Dame Kelly said she posed a question about Kate’s three children asking if she saw different “traits” in them, and the royal replied “oh yes, definitely”.

The double Olympic champion said when the schoolgirls quizzed Kate about being a “royal”, the princess said it was something “she had to learn”.

Speaking for herself, Dame Kelly said she experienced: “A struggle to kind of know that you can be accepted and fit in, and still learning every day.”

She added that public speaking was not a “natural thing” to many people and, commenting on Kate, added “she said she’s still working that out”.

Dame Kelly said about the princess, whose visit marked Mental Health Awareness Week: “She humanised everything to say not everyone’s perfect.

"Doesn’t matter what you’ve got, or what you’re perceived to have, as an individual you’re still going to have those insecurities."

Dame Kelly founded her national youth development organisation on the belief that every young person needs a champion.

It pairs world-class athletes with children who may have a lack confidence or other issues.

The aim is that the sportsmen or women will pass on their winning mindset and help the school children develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in life.

Kate arrived at the charity’s base in Bath and spent time with students from St Katherine’s School, in Bristol, who are taking part in the On Track To Achieve programme.

The all-female group is mentored by Paralympic gold medallist Liz Johnson and Kate joined the year seven and eight pupils in a warming-up exercise.

Later today, the princess will hear from the pupils about their personal experiences and some of the challenges young people face today.

She will ask them how working with an athlete mentor has supported them to better express their emotions, build resilience, and promote positive mental health and wellbeing.

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