Kate Middleton and Prince William Are ‘Not Interested at All’ in ‘Fame and Celebrity,’ Former Aide Says

Kate Middleton and Prince William Are ‘Not Interested at All’ in ‘Fame and Celebrity,’ Former Aide Says
Jason Knauf shared in a new interview that the Prince and Princess of Wales were “doing their jobs but for the right reasons”

Kate Middleton and Prince William arrive for their visit to SportsAid at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre to mark World Mental Health Day on October 12, 2023 in Marlow, England.

Kate Middleton and Prince William visits SportsAid charity on Oct. 12, 2023. PHOTO: SUZANNE PLUNKETT/WPA POOL/GETTY
Kate Middleton and Prince William’s former aide is sharing new insights into the couple’s feelings on the public life that comes with being part of the royal family.

While being the Prince and Princess of Wales often means being photographed at red carpet appearances, palace banquets and tours around the world, former palace staffer Jason Knauf spoke with 60 Minutes Australia about Kate and William’s feelings on life in the spotlight.

“Neither of the prince or the princess would choose to be public figures,” he said in the interview, with aired on Feb. 23. “They’re not that interested in the fame and celebrity that comes with it. In fact, not really interested at all. I think that makes it quite interesting in today’s world to see people out there doing their jobs but for the right reasons.”

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Asked about his role in the royal couple’s popularity, Knauf said, “I don’t think anyone can control the image of anyone in today’s media world, social media world. You just can’t. All you can do is help people be themselves.”

“With both of these people, the prince and the princess, what you see is what you really get behind the scenes as well,” he added.

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Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the Ceremonial Welcome at Horse Guards Parade during day one of The Amir of the State of Qatar’s visit to the United Kingdom on December 03, 2024 in London, England. His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, accompanied by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, will hold several engagements with The Prince and Princess of Wales, The King and Queen as well as political figures.

Kate Middleton and Prince William in London on Dec. 3, 2024. SAMIR HUSSEIN/WIREIMAGE
Knauf worked as a communications secretary to William and Kate as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, eventually becoming the chief executive of the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Royal Foundation until late 2021. He continues to serve on the board of trustees for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize.

Prince William, 42, and Princess Kate, 43, have broken the mold of the royal family, making it a point to focus on their young family — they share three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6 — in addition to their duties. They are known for slowing down their work calendar during the kids’ school breaks, most recently heading to the private island of Mustique in the Caribbean for a family getaway during the school’s half-term break.
Prince George of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales (Colonel of the Welsh Guards), Prince Louis of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales and Catherine,
Princess of Wales watch an RAF flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after attending Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024 in London, England. Trooping the Colour, also known as The King’s Birthday Parade, is a military ceremony to mark the official birthday of the British Sovereign. The ceremony takes place at Horse Guards Parade followed by a flypast over Buckingham Palace and was first performed in the mid-17th century during the reign of King Charles II. The parade features all seven regiments of the Household Division with Number 9 Company, Irish Guards being the regiment this year having their Colour Trooped.
From left: Prince George, Prince William, Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Kate Middleton at Trooping the Colour on June 15, 2024.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales are also consciously raising their children differently than previous generations of the royal family. While Queen Elizabeth and King Charles were largely raised by governesses, William and Kate have taken a more hands-on approach when it comes to George, Charlotte and Louis.

The couple “consciously set out to achieve a sense of normality,” a close source previously told PEOPLE.

A friend added, “Royal families over the generations haven’t had the chance to get those foundations right, but they have.”

Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, Britain’s Prince Louis of Wales, Britain’s Prince George of Wales Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales and Britain’s Princess Charlotte of Wales leave after attending the Royal Family’s traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham
From left: Prince William, Prince Louis, Prince George, Kate Middleton and Princess Charlotte at Christmas 2024.

When Prince William married his college sweetheart, she brought her down-to-earth tone as she stepped into royal life, something they’ve carried into their life at home.

“Those children look pretty happy with life,” a palace insider previously told PEOPLE. “A lot of it is the stabilizing normality Kate brings — and that’s how she grew up. William absolutely loves it.”

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Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the Ceremonial Welcome, at Horse Guards Parade, for the The Amir of the State of Qatar on day one of his State Visit to the United Kingdom on December 3, 2024 in London, England.
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