Kate Middleton, for someone whom those closest to her describe as an introvert, is surprisingly good in public. One of the most famous women in the entire world, the Duchess of Cambridge shows no signs of wavering in the spotlight, whether she is playing the piano in front of the entire world or holding a giant spider with a smile. But now a friend of the Duchess reveals that her relationship with the public, especially the tabloids, has not always been friendly.

According to Roya Nikka, royal editor of The Sunday Times (opens in new tab) (covered by Express UK), when Kate and Prince William first started dating, she had to fight vicious paparazzi. This went on for the entire decade from when Kate and Prince William were romantically involved as students to Kate and Prince William's wedding.

In 2006 and 2007, Kate worked as an accessories buyer for fashion brand Jigsaw, and paparazzi ambushed her and chased her down the street, waiting for her to leave the office to buy lunch, the magazine said. Eventually, she was forced to quit her job. Furthermore, Kate, who is neither a royal girlfriend nor a member or soon-to-be member of the royal family, was not entitled to security detail and was left to act "on her own," according to the Times.

The level of intrusiveness is also why Kate was reportedly even chased by "several men" in a car late at night, an unnamed friend told the Times. According to the source, Kate understandably found the experience "horrifying."

One source explained to the Times how Kate reacted to the pressure. She handled it brilliantly, and given how intrusive it was ...... It was by no means water off a duck's back, but she has extraordinary strength of character and resilience. I have never once seen or heard her lose her temper."

The tussle between the royal family and the tabloids is, sadly, not a new one. The media's malice toward Kate, as described by a friend, is similar to the horrific treatment of Princess Diana, who died in a car accident while being chased by paparazzi in France. And while this story about Kate makes it clear that the tragedy did not dramatically change paparazzi behavior toward the royal family, some suggest that it may be changing. Just last month, Meghan Markle won her case against the Mail on Sunday. The Mail on Sunday published a private letter that Meghan sent to her father before her wedding to Prince Harry.

It is normal to be interested in the inner workings of the royal family. However, it is frightening that responding to that interest threatens the safety of the royal family. One hopes that this kind of tabloid intensity will be a thing of the past.