Despite striking up a relationship with Prince William in 2003 while studying at St Andrews University, it wasn't until 2008 that Kate Middleton was finally allowed to meet the queen.

In her engagement interview with the Duke of Cambridge in November 2010, Kate revealed she first met the Monarch at the Queen's oldest grandchild Peter Phillips and Autumn [Philipps]'s wedding.

'It was in amongst a lot of other guests and she was very friendly,' she revealed. William added: 'She had wanted to meet Kate for a while.'

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And in the years since, Kate and her grandmother-in-law (is that a thing?) have been spotted enjoying each other's company during numerous public outings.

But, what does Kate really think of the Monarch?

Well, in an ITV special last April to mark the Queen's 90th birthday, the Duchess spoke of the adorable relationship she shares with her in-law.

'She's been very generous and not sort of been forceful at all in any of her views but I feel she's been a gentle guidance really for me,' she said.

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She also revealed Prince George's adorable nickname for his great-grandmother.

'George is only two-and-a-half and he calls her Gan-Gan.

'She always leaves a little gift or something in their room when we go and stay and that just shows her love for the family,' she added.

Well, 'Gan-Gan' is surely better than Prince William's nickname for his grandmother as a child.

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According to the Daily Mail, high society gossip columnist Richard Kay reveals Prince William used to call the Queen 'Gary' when he was younger after struggling to pronounce 'Granny'.

Kay recalls the Queen once helped William after he'd fallen over at Buckingham Palace, after he shouted for 'Gary, Gary'.

A guest who went to help asked who Gary was, assuming it must be a member of the royal household.

'I'm Gary,' the Queen explained to the confused guest, as she picked him up. 'He hasn't learned to say Granny yet.'

Queen Gary doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it?

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Katie O'Malley
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.