An email Kate Middleton sent to friends before joining the royal family has resurfaced.

Way back in 2008, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is thought to have sent an email to her close friends and family, making a very specific request. This would have come shortly before Kate joined the royal family and so, the mum of three is believed to have asked her nearest and dearest to call her Catherine in future. Although this is her full name, she was generally known as Kate and so this was viewed as a major change. Writing for The Sunday Express, royal columnist Adam Helliker said:

"I hear that in the past few weeks the former accessories buyer has quietly informed friends that she would like to drop the informal ‘Kate’ and in future wishes to be known by her full name: Catherine".

Adam said that this request came at a time when bookies had suspended bets on the couple's engagement so sure were they that the royal news would come imminently. Speaking to Helliker, a source said that some of her friendship group were "surprised" at the decision and it was obvious that she was now very aware of her future "position" within the famous family. Prince William is likely to become King of England one day which would make Kate Queen and royal experts believe she has been taking steps towards this in recent times, taking on more royal duties and engagements than ever before. Despite this, the Duchess is commonly referred to as Kate Middleton, a name that seems to have stuck, and it doesn't seem to have caused any major issues. It's been said that the press secretary for Prince Charles at the time, Paddy Harverson, refuted the claims but Helliker has maintained the report is true.