Blog: Kate should follow the Queen's example

Blog: If Kate Middleton is looking for top tips to help in her future life with Prince William, she should forget the flunkeys, the civil servants and Debrett's best, writes Shirley Tart.

All the 28-year-old needs do is to watch the Queen. Her Majesty was out and about at major engagements here earlier this week, then a bit like the Time Lord, she was suddenly in Abu Dhabi in a long coat, no shoes and a gold scarf tied across her hat.

The Queen toured one of the world's largest mosques with the grace and respect which has distinguished her nearly 60-year-reign.

This is her first visit in more than 30 years to the United Arab Emirates, a country with long time British ties, and the 84-year-old monarch did what she has always done on hundreds of state visits: paid tribute to the host country and showed an unfailing interest in its people, its history and its progress.

Abu Dhabi's Sheik Zayed Grand Mosque is part of a massive marble complex which is the resting place of the late Sheik Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, first president of the United Arab Emirates when it gained statehood after more than a century as a British protectorate.

Over the years, the Queen has declared countless places open and around the world, has carried the flag for Great Britain with courtesy and sometimes forbearance. She knows far more about international politics than any international politician and she believes in the unity of nations.

The latest candidate in training for Queen need look no farther than the marvellous grandmother of her husband-to-be.

There is no finer example for Kate and no better representative for us, barefoot or well shod.