William's marriage to Kate Middleton showed that social class, which seemed so important when Prince Charles was looking for a bride in the Eighties, is no longer an issue.

Penny Junor’s quote highlights the significant shift in the British royal family’s approach to marriage and social class. She points out that the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton symbolized a departure from the rigid expectations around social class that defined earlier royal unions, such as when Prince Charles searched for a bride in the 1980s. At that time, class was a significant factor in choosing a partner for the heir to the throne. Junor suggests that Kate, coming from a middle-class background, was able to marry into the royal family without the same social scrutiny, signaling that class is no longer an obstacle in royal marriages.

The origin of this quote can be traced to Penny Junor’s work as a royal biographer and commentator. Over the years, Junor has written extensively about the British monarchy and its changing dynamics. In this statement, she reflects on how societal attitudes toward class have evolved, particularly in relation to the royal family. She underscores the contrast between the earlier decades when the royal family maintained strict class-based expectations for marriage, and the more modern, less hierarchical perspective seen in William and Kate’s union.

Junor’s quote also reflects a broader shift in British society, where traditional notions of class have become less influential over time. The marriage of William and Kate is a public marker of how social mobility has become more accepted, even in institutions that were once defined by strict social hierarchies. By noting that Kate Middleton, with her middle-class roots, was able to marry Prince William, Junor points to the democratization of royal norms and a changing public perception of what constitutes an appropriate royal partner.

Ultimately, Junor’s statement celebrates the evolving nature of the British royal family and its adaptation to a changing society. By marrying Kate Middleton, Prince William helped redefine what it means to be a part of the royal family, showing that class no longer has the same weight it once did in determining the suitability of a royal marriage. This shift reflects a broader societal trend toward more fluid social structures, where personal qualities like love and compatibility are prioritized over rigid class distinctions.