"When I was trying to impress Kate I was trying to cook these amazing fancy dinners and what would happen was I would burn something, something would overspill, something would catch on fire and she would be sitting in the background trying to help, and basically taking control of the whole situation, so I was quite glad she was there at the time"
About this Quote
The intent is charm with a purpose. By framing himself as the well-meaning amateur and Kate as the competent fixer, William offers a relationship dynamic that reads as modern and steady: she’s capable, he’s self-deprecating, the partnership functions under pressure. That subtext matters in a monarchy that sells continuity. “Trying to impress” nods to romantic sincerity, but the punchline is competence and teamwork, not grand gestures.
There’s also a subtle transfer of authority. He’s “quite glad she was there,” which sounds affectionate, yet it sketches Kate as the stabilizing presence in moments when he flounders. In a royal context, that’s reassurance. It positions her not just as a spouse, but as a quietly essential operator - the person who can “take control of the whole situation” without making it a power struggle.
Contextually, this is the post-Diana royal playbook: soften the institution with relatable scenes, spotlight emotional literacy, and let the public glimpse a marriage that looks less like a crown arrangement and more like a partnership built in a shared kitchen mess. The overspill and small fires become proof of life.
Quote Details
| Topic | Romantic |
|---|---|
| Source | Help us find the source |
| Cite |
Citation Formats
APA Style (7th ed.)
William, Prince. (2026, January 18). When I was trying to impress Kate I was trying to cook these amazing fancy dinners and what would happen was I would burn something, something would overspill, something would catch on fire and she would be sitting in the background trying to help, and basically taking control of the whole situation, so I was quite glad she was there at the time. FixQuotes. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/when-i-was-trying-to-impress-kate-i-was-trying-to-18741/
Chicago Style
William, Prince. "When I was trying to impress Kate I was trying to cook these amazing fancy dinners and what would happen was I would burn something, something would overspill, something would catch on fire and she would be sitting in the background trying to help, and basically taking control of the whole situation, so I was quite glad she was there at the time." FixQuotes. January 18, 2026. https://fixquotes.com/quotes/when-i-was-trying-to-impress-kate-i-was-trying-to-18741/.
MLA Style (9th ed.)
"When I was trying to impress Kate I was trying to cook these amazing fancy dinners and what would happen was I would burn something, something would overspill, something would catch on fire and she would be sitting in the background trying to help, and basically taking control of the whole situation, so I was quite glad she was there at the time." FixQuotes, 18 Jan. 2026, https://fixquotes.com/quotes/when-i-was-trying-to-impress-kate-i-was-trying-to-18741/. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.


