Queen ‘let Kate bring camera’ to Balmoral because she’s ‘trustworthy’

Visiting Balmoral Castle is important to any Royal Family newcomer, and the late Queen gave Kate Middleton a special privilege to make her feel more welcome. Queen Elizabeth reportedly allowed the Princess of Wales to take photos during her first visit to Balmoral.One royal expert believes this rare gesture was to welcome Kate into the family. Royal fan @Canellelabelle tweeted: “On Catherine’s first visit to Balmoral, Her Late Majesty The Queen broke protocol and let her bring her camera as she knew Catherine loved photography. Till today, no pictures ever leaked from her or her circle. That’s why she is respected. Catherine is trustworthy, loyal to the UK, her family, the Royal Family and the Crown.”Meeting the in-laws and your partner’s family is always going to be intimidating, but when you’re dating a member of the Royal Family, this is an understatement.According to author and royal commentator Katie Nicholl, Queen Elizabeth gave Kate rare permission to take photos while at Balmoral, knowing how much Kate loved photography.READ MORE: Kate Middleton re-wears outfits ‘multiple times’ for two key reasons Queen Elizabeth ‘let Kate take camera’ to Balmoral for special reason (Image: GETTY) Balmoral Castle is in Scotland where Royal Family goes each summer (Image: GETTY)Kate first visited Balmoral Castle in 2009, two years before her wedding to Prince William. Though a small gesture, the late Queen allowing Kate to take photos was a huge step in welcoming her to the fold, Katie Nicholl explains.In her book, Kate: The Future Queen, she wrote: “Until now the Queen had met Kate only fleetingly at the wedding of Peter and Autumn Phillips, but she went out of her way to make her feel welcome, giving her permission to take pictures at Balmoral.”She added: “As a woman who has lived her entire life in the public eye, the Queen rarely lets her guard down, and very few apart from her family and closest friends get to see the real Elizabeth.”Family traditions are very meaningful for the Royal Family, and it has become a family tradition for the Prince and Princess of Wales to head to Scotland each summer.DON’T MISS:Prince Louis gets cheeky behaviour from ‘rebellious’ royal – not Harry [PARENTING]King Charles and Camilla have unusual bedroom layout at Clarence House [PROPERTY]Queen Letizia & Princess Alessandra don same dress – one ‘steals show’ [STYLE] Queen and Prince Philip with great-grandchildren – photographed by Kate (Image: INSTAGRAM / @TheRoyalFamily)”Family-wise we’re all there, so it’s a lovely base for Granny and Grandpa to be – for us to come and see them up there where you just have room to breathe and run.”Balmoral Castle is situated in Royal Deeside in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.The estate has been in the Royal Family for over a century; Queen Victoria and Prince Albert purchased it in 1852.There was an original castle on the grounds built in the 15th century, but the royal couple had a new one built about a hundred yards north, designed by architect William Smith, with construction completed in 1856.