What to Know
It’s safe to say that Kate Middleton is used to meeting new people and striking up conversations under all kinds of circumstances, but some royal watchers are convinced she’s still bad at making friends despite all her practice.
New photos from Kate and Prince William‘s outing to watch Team England cycling and para-cycling as a spectator are proof positive that Kate can’t keep a girlfriend to save her life — according to her harshest critics, anyway.
Kate and Will took in the Commonwealth Games together.
Prince Louis might have missed out on Wimbledon this year, but he was right there with his parents and older siblings George and Charlotte when the family made a surprise appearance at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasglow over the weekend. Like the Olympics, the Commonwealth Games take place every four years.
According to People, this was the first time that Will and Kate’s kids have made a public appearance in Scotland and it was the first time that 8-year-old Louis has ever joined the family for a sporting event. He’s growing up!
Some footage caught Kate looking rather bored in the stands.
@beinsportsusa 👑🇬🇧 Royal support at the Commonwealth Games. Prince William and Kate Middleton were in Glasgow, taking in the action and celebrating another day of elite competition. Don't miss all the action from the #Glasgow2026 Commonwealth Games on #beINSPORTS and beIN SPORTS Connect 📺📲 #beINGlasgow2026 ♬ sonido original – beIN SPORTS USA
Some of the coverage of the event showed Kate and Will sitting in the stands next to former professional cyclist Dame Laura Kenny, with Will leaning over his wife to talk to Laura. Sitting in the middle, Kate’s expression makes it seem like she’s trying to look like she’s having a good time, but might be over the whole thing.
This didn’t get past royal watchers on Reddit, who shared screenshots from the moment to back up the theory that Kate is no good at making female friends.
“I think Kate’s body language and lack of engagement here demonstrate Kate just can’t / won’t be warm towards other women,” the OP wrote. “She doesn’t have any girlfriends at all, and it’s clear that even her and Pippa are no longer close.”
One commenter who agreed wrote, “What a waste of time for Kenny, to sit next to someone so self-absorbed who shows little curiosity about others and their accomplishments — because it probably highlighted how mediocre she is.”
She might have just been caught in an off moment, though.
Other photos show Kate looking quite animated in conversation with Laura, and Laura’s Instagram post about sitting next to the royals definitely makes it seem like it was a positive experience for her.
“As hours go this was a pretty special one,” Laura wrote. “Now sat thinking I hope I didn’t talk to much. Being able to part some cycling knowledge onto @princeandprincessofwales was such an honour.”
Laura has no complaints, so maybe Kate was just feeling cranky for a split second? She might be royal, but she’s also human.
