Kate Middleton’s 7 Hidden Talents, Skills From Music, Arts And More
Kate Middleton has been in the public spotlight for over a decade after she married Prince William, but there are still things that many do not know about her.
The Princess of Wales has numerous talents, from playing musical instruments and different sports to painting and cooking. Here are some of Middleton's talents that some fans are probably not aware of.
1. Sign Language
The Prince and Princess of Wales have both used sign language during a royal visit to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth. They met with kids from King Charles C of E primary school ahead of a model boat race, and the royal mom of three was seen using sign language when speaking to a child who was hard at hearing.
Additionally, in 2014, Middleton joined the 23rd Poplar, a beaver scout colony based in East London, which just opened at the time. During the visit, she learned to say the "scout's promise" in sign language.
@princesscatherine_ im not sure if Catherine is using BSL or Makaton. william staring at her wife 💘 #katemiddleton #princesscatherine #princewilliam #princessofwales
♬ Lay all your love on me by ABBA - ✩ Alexa
2. Piano
The future queen shocked many when she joined singer Tom Walker's performance at the 2021 Christmas carol concert she hosted at Westminster Abbey. She played the piano as he sang "For Those Who Can't Be Here," which was dedicated to lost loved ones.
Walker was very much impressed with the future queen's performance, saying she "completely nailed it."
"It's not easy to just jump behind a piano with a bunch of musicians you've never played with before and record live takes to camera, but she completely nailed it," the singer said of Middleton, per People.
A royal source said it was Middleton's idea to perform with Walker. She learned the piano as a child and took "great comfort" in playing the musical instrument throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
Middleton reached grade three on piano -- the highest performance level is eight for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). Her former piano instructor, Daniel Nicholls, who taught her in the 1990s, said she was "good at it."
Middleton also played the piano in a surprise pre-recorded video for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. The Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly wanted to support the Eurovision and their relationship with Ukraine at the time.
3. Photography
Middleton is a self-confessed amateur photographer. She usually captures family photos and shares them with royal fans to mark special events like her kids' birthdays or any family milestone.
Middleton was also behind Queen Camilla's British magazine Country Life cover in 2022 for her 75th birthday. King Charles' wife specifically requested her to do the shoot when she and the editor discussed her cover image, per the Telegraph.
Queen Camilla was pleased with the output and called Middleton an "extremely good" photographer. Even professional photographers gave Middleton's photography skills a thumbs-up. Royal photographer Samir Hussein told Business Insider that the Duchess of Cambridge takes photos that "any professional would be very happy with."
Kristen Meinzer, a royal commentator and podcast host, argued with Middleton, describing herself as an "amateur" photographer. Meinzer said she had the background.
"While Kate might feel comfortable describing herself as an amateur, her résumé suggests she has far more professional experience than the typical amateur," Meinzer told Business Insider.
4. Baking
Middleton is surrounded by household help, but she's hands-on when it comes to the kitchen. She even makes it a tradition to bake her children's homemade birthday cakes.
"I love making the cake," Middleton said on "A Berry Royal Christmas" in 2019. "It's become a bit of a tradition that I stay up 'til midnight with ridiculous amounts of cake mix and icing, and I make far too much. But I love it."
Baking also provides a good bonding experience for Middleton and her three children -- Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 10. In June 2022, they baked cupcakes for the local community in Cardiff to enjoy at a Platinum Jubilee street party.
5. Arts
Middleton is known for her photography skills, but she's also into arts. The Princess of Wales loves drawing and painting.
Her talent in creative arts was evident in her sister PIppa's wedding to James Matthews in 2017. The service booklet featured a drawing of the 12th-century St. Mark's Church in Englefield, near Reading, and it was reportedly created by Middleton.
"And to Pippa's sister Kate, such ability -- a beautiful drawing of St Mark's church in the order of service," Reverend Nick Wynne-Jones, who led the proceedings, told The Sun, even calling the artwork a "lovely piece."
Prince William also praised his wife and kids when he received compliments for decorating cakes. According to the future king, his wife is the "arty one" and their kids are "more arty than I am."
6. Athlete
Middleton is probably one of the most sporty royals in the British monarchy. The athletic Princess of Wales played rugby and volleyball and competed in rowing, swimming, and tennis in school. She also played field hockey in high school.
During a royal tour to Sweden in 2018, six-month-pregnant Middleton challenged her husband to a goal shootout. Anna Widing, an international bandy player, coached them before the shootout and praised Middleton.
"Kate had played field hockey, and I was expecting her to be good -- and she was very good," Widing said.
7. Beekeeping
Middleton is a beekeeper, just like her younger brother, James Middleton. In 2021, she visited London's Natural History Museum for its Urban Nature Project, informing U.K. citizens about the importance of wildlife in cities. She also joined the local kids for some nature activities and arts and crafts projects.
During the visit, she also brought a special present to the kids -- fresh honey from the Anmer Hall beehives.
"This came specially from my beehive," Middleton told the schoolchildren. "Would you like to try some? I've got one spoon each."
She also encouraged the kids to see if her honey tasted like the ones they had at home and reminded them to thank the bees for the honey.
"Does it taste like honey from the shops? Does it taste like flowers?" she asked. "Every time you see a bee; say thank you so much because they make delicious honey,"
