Any keen-eyed royal observer will have noticed that Kate Middleton is hardly beaming from ear-to-ear when she finds herself seated in a royal carriage.
While many suspected the Duchess of Cambridge was simply not overly fond of huge public engagements, it turns out she suffers from the same debilitating illness as the Queen herself.
A royal source revealed to The Sunday Mirror that Kate’s visible unease is really an attempt to conceal the extreme discomfort she suffers every time she takes a jostling turn in the royal wheels.
37 PHOTOSKate Middleton stuns at the Royal AscotSee GalleryKate Middleton stuns at the Royal Ascot
The Duchess of Cambridge during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
Britain’s Kate, Duchess of Cambridge and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall look out from a carriage in Windsor Great Park on her way to Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge attending day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and Duchess of Cornwall during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) speaks to Zara Tindall whilst attending day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
Britain’s Kate, Duchess of Cambridge looks out from a carriage in Windsor Great Park on her way to Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Duke of Cambridge (left to right) during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
CORRECTING TITLE FROM PRINCESS TO DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE- Britain’s Prince William, center, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive on the day one of the annual Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
From left, Prince William, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, Britain’s Prince Charles Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall arrive on the day one of the annual Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, right, and Prince William talk with Netherlands’ Queen Maxima, second from left, and Netherland’s King Willem-Alexander as they arrive on the day one of the annual Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
CORRECTING TITLE FROM PRINCESS TO DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE- From left, Britain’s Prince William, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Britain’s Prince Charles arrive on the day one of the annual Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
CORRECTING TITLE FROM PRINCESS TO DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE- Britain’s Prince William, center, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive on the day one of the annual Royal Ascot horse race meeting in Ascot, England, Tuesday, June 18, 2019. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
The Duchess of Cambridge attending day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) speaks to Zara Tindall whilst attending day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (left), Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cambridge arriving during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (L) and Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (R) attend on day one of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet, in Ascot, west of London, on June 18, 2019. – The five-day meeting is one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar. Horse racing has been held at the famous Berkshire course since 1711 and tradition is a hallmark of the meeting. Top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course while a daily procession of horse-drawn carriages brings the Queen to the course. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall arriving by carriage on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (L) and Zara Phillips (R) attend on day one of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet, in Ascot, west of London, on June 18, 2019. – The five-day meeting is one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar. Horse racing has been held at the famous Berkshire course since 1711 and tradition is a hallmark of the meeting. Top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course while a daily procession of horse-drawn carriages brings the Queen to the course. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
The Duke of Cambridge (left), Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (left), Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (left), Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cornwall and the Prince of Wales during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands with Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, (L) and Britain’s Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (R) attend on day one of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet, in Ascot, west of London, on June 18, 2019. – The five-day meeting is one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar. Horse racing has been held at the famous Berkshire course since 1711 and tradition is a hallmark of the meeting. Top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course while a daily procession of horse-drawn carriages brings the Queen to the course. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge on day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images)Up Next
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The Duchess suffers from crippling motion sickness, which is no doubt exacerbated by the movement of the carriage.
“The truth is the Duchess of Cambridge gets very seasick and doesn’t enjoy the rocking motion of carriages,” the source said, adding the stress of trying to control the illness adds to her pallid expression.
“Worrying she may be ill on such an important occasion as Trooping the Colour added to her stress,” they said.
Unfortunately for Kate, there’s no way around the horrible journeys, the royal carriage ride is an age old tradition that can’t be done away with.
20 PHOTOSRoyal family at the Royal AscotSee GalleryRoyal family at the Royal Ascot
The Duke of Cambridge (left), the Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Cornwall, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attending day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
Princess Eugenie of York (left) and Princess Beatrice of York during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II (left), King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess of Cambridge attending day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge (centre), Johnny Weatherby (right) and Zara Tindall (left) attending day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Photo by Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images)
The Princess Royal (left) and the Countess of Wessex during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
ASCOT, ENGLAND – JUNE 18: Emma Weymouth and Lady Kitty Spencer attend day 1 of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse on June 18, 2019 in Ascot, England. (Photo by David M. Benett/Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse)
The Princess Royal, Anne (fourth left), The Duchess of Cambridge, Duke of Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth II, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attending day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
Queen Elizabeth II during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (2R) rise with Dutch King Willem-Alexander (L) and Queen Maxima (R) and Britain’s Prince Andrew, Duke of York, (2L) as they arrive on day one of the Royal Ascot horse racing meet, in Ascot, west of London, on June 18, 2019. – The five-day meeting is one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar. Horse racing has been held at the famous Berkshire course since 1711 and tradition is a hallmark of the meeting. Top hats and tails remain compulsory in parts of the course while a daily procession of horse-drawn carriages brings the Queen to the course. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)(Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Princess Eugenie in Windsor Great Park where members of the Royal family swap from cars to horse-drawn carriages on their journey from Windsor Castle to Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge in Windsor Great Park where members of the Royal family swap from cars to horse-drawn carriages on their journey from Windsor Castle to Ascot Racecourse.
The Princess Royal in Windsor Great Park where members of the Royal family swap from cars to horse-drawn carriages on their journey from Windsor Castle to Ascot Racecourse.
Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor Great Park where members of the Royal family swap from cars to horse-drawn carriages on their journey from Windsor Castle to Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cambridge (left) and the Duchess of Cornwall in Windsor Great Park where members of the Royal family swap from cars to horse-drawn carriages on their journey from Windsor Castle to Ascot Racecourse.
Queen Elizabeth II in Windsor Great Park where members of the Royal family swap from cars to horse-drawn carriages on their journey from Windsor Castle to Ascot Racecourse.
Queen Elizabeth II during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cornwall (centre), the Prince of Wales (third left) and the Duke of Cambridge during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duke of Cambridge (left), the Duchess of Cambridge, Queen Elizabeth II, the Duchess of Cornwall, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands attending day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duke of Cambridge (centre) arriving by carriage during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.
The Duchess of Cornwall (centre), the Prince of Wales (third left) and the Duke of Cambridge during day one of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse.Up Next
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“Protocol meant she had no choice but to go by state carriage,” they explained.
The illness is not unique to Kate however, the Queen is also a sufferer and opened up last year about her own harrowing experiences in the uncomfortable vehicle describing a two hour procession on her coronation day as ‘horrible’.
The illness is so powerful it’s reported that the Queen has even suggested Kate take medication, but the well-known side effect of drowsiness means its an unlikely solution.
Turns out even royalty gets a bit car sick.
27 PHOTOSCoronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953See GalleryCoronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953
Royal Family on Balcony at Buckingham Palace, London, pictured after Coronation, 2nd June 1953. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
(FILES) Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (L) accompanied by Prince Philip waves to the crowd, 02 June 1953, after being crowned solemnly at Westminter Abbey in London. Queen Elizabeth II was set Thursday 20 December 2007, to become the oldest monarch, overtaking her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria amid signs the royal family is preparing for life after 81-year-old ‘Lillibet’. Victoria died in 1901 aged 81 years and 243 days, and Elizabeth will mark passing the milestone with neither pomp nor ceremony, spending the day as usual with her husband of 60 years, Prince Philip. AFP PHOTO/FILES (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the ceremony in which the newly ascended monarch, Elizabeth II, was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon, and Pakistan, as well as taking on the role of Head of the Commonwealth. 2nd June 1953 (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
The royal carriage of Queen Elizabeth II passes along Victoria Embankment on its way to Westminster Abbey, on June 02, 1953, during the ceremony of coronation of the Queen. The Queen was solemnly crowned at Westminster Abbey in London.(Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II poses with the royal sceptre 02 June 1953 after being crowned solemnly at Westminter Abbey in London. Elizabeth was proclaimed Queen in 1952 at age 25.(Photo credit should read STF/AFP/Getty Images)
Queen’s Guards marching along Pall Mall as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Coronation procession, London, 2nd June 1953. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II walks to the Royal Enclosure during the Coronation Cup match between England and Argentina at Cowdray Park, UK, accompanied by Weetman Pearson, Lord Cowdray (1910- 1995, right), 21st June 1953. Following them is the Duke of Edinburgh (left). She presented the cup to Argentina after they won the match 7-6. (Photo by Chris Ware/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Picture taken on June 2, 1953 at London showing a moment of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey. (Photo by – / CENTRAL PRESS PHOTO LTD / AFP)(Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
The Band and Corps of Drums of the Welsh and Irish Guards march down Northumberland Avenue ahead of the gold state coach carrying the Queen to Westminster Abbey for her coronation 2nd June 1952. (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen’s coach passing through Admiralty Arch on the way to Westminster Abbey before the ceremony. 2nd June 1953. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II was the ceremony in which the newly ascended monarch, Elizabeth II, was crowned Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Ceylon, and Pakistan, as well as taking on the role of Head of the Commonwealth. (Picture) Bishops paying homage to the Queen. 2nd June 1953 (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Winston Churchill gives his two finger salute to the crowds from the lead carriage of the Procession of Prime Ministers during the journey from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. The procession escorted by IVth Queens Own Hussars 2nd June 1952 (Photo by Reveille/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Royal Family on Balcony at Buckingham Palace, London, pictured after Coronation, 2nd June 1953. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Lord Gifford leaving for Westminster Abbey with his wife. 2nd June 1953. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Soldiers of the Cameroon army marching towards Hyde Park Corner during the procession. 2nd June 1953. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Peers outisde Westminster Abbey, assisted by boy scouts. 2nd June 1953. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Families get together at the Stockingford Liberal Club to celebrate the Queen’s coronation. Many of the party hats were give aways with Brooke Bond Tea. 2nd June 1953 (Photo by Coventry Telegraph Archive/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth Coronation 2nd June 1953. Accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh on her way to Westminster Abbey, the procession passed King Charles Statue. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
The Queens Coronation at Westminster Abbey 2nd June 1953. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. Prince Charles and Princess Anne watch from Buckingham Palace. 2nd June 1953. (Photo by Syndication/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
Soldiers and sailors sleep on the pavement outside Buckingham Palace as they wait to see the Queen on her Coronation, London, 2nd June 1953. Original Publication : Picture Post 6537 – The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth – pub. 13th June 1953(Photo by George Konig/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Residents dancing at a party to celebrate the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, held in Morpeth Street in London’s East End, 2nd June 1953. Original publication: Picture Post – 6542 – Cockneys’ Own Party – pub. 13th June 1953 (Photo by John Chillingworth/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
TODAY — “The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II” — Pictured: (l-r) NBC News’ H. V. Kaltenborn, Frank Blair covering the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953 — (Photo by: NBC News/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II (2nd L), accompanied by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (C), Prince Charles (3rd L), Princess Anne (C), Queen mother Elizabeth (3rd R) and Princess Margaret appears on a balcony of Buckingham Palace, on Coronation day, on June 02, 1953 in London. (Photo by – / AFP)(Photo credit should read -/AFP/Getty Images)
Queen Elizabeth II (centre, left) and members of the royal family watching an RAF fly-past from the balcony of Buckingham Palace during the Queen’s Coronation ceremony, London, 2nd June 1953. Next to the Queen are (left to right): Prince Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and the Queen Mother (1900 – 2002). (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
NBC NEWS — “The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II” — Pictured: NBC News’ George Hicks reporting from Trafalgar Square while covering the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953 in London, England — (Photo by: NBC News/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
NBC NEWS — “The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II” — Pictured: Engineers and technicians covering the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953 in London, England — (Photo by: NBC News/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)Up Next
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