Prince William put Kate Middleton in an “awkward spot” when they were still dating.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been married for eight years already. Prior to exchanging “I dos,” their courtship lasted for almost a decade.

According to Vicky Ward in an article for Vanity Fair, Prince William put Middleton in a difficult situation when they were still dating. Middleton got the media’s attention after they learned that she was dating a royal, but she was not entitled to any royal benefits.

“All the royal press—and former courtiers I spoke to—agreed that until Prince William formalizes their relationship Middleton is in an awkward spot,” Ward wrote.

She said that by the time, Middleton was like a celebrity. In fact, her main lifeline was Gerrard Tyrrell, who also represented British models Kate Moss and Roman Abramovich. Unfortunately, something was off.

“She is not officially entitled to any royal benefits paid for by the taxpayers, such as security; she has no spokesperson and is not receiving any official guidance on what to wear or how to conduct herself in royal circles,” she added.

Queen Elizabeth II reportedly wanted Middleton to have a full-time job, but she was quietly working. Middleton had been working for her parents business Party Pieces. Adam Helliker also said that she was learning how to make digital catalogs because it was the only job she felt safe doing.

A friend of the Middletons’ said that the Duchess of Cambridge received many job offers from Russian oligarchs and fashion designers who wanted to work with her. However, she declined because she didn’t want to be accused of abusing her connections or being used.

“What can she do? She’s in a very difficult position,” the source said.

In 2010, Prince William finally proposed to Middleton and they got married in 2011. During their wedding, many noticed that the groom was sleepy and tired. Prince William admitted that he only slept for about half an hour due to the crowds who were singing and cheering all night long.

Prince William and Middleton are already parents to three adorable children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The couple is expected to accompany their only daughter on her first day of school at Thomas’s Battersea in London on Sept. 5.

Prince William and Kate Middleton
Prince William and Kate Middleton are pictured as they arrive to officially open Dundee’s V&A (Victoria and Albert) museum on Jan. 29, 2019 in Dundee, eastern Scotland. Neil Hanna/AFP/Getty Images