Inside Kate Middleton's most trusted inner circle: The friends the Princess of Wales can depend on as Mother's Day photo editing furore rumbles on

It's been a tough start to the year for the Princess of Wales.

Kate Middleton, 42,  is understood to be recovering well from her major abdominal surgery and is set to be back in royal action by Easter, but sources say she needs to be left in peace to put her recovery first.

But her absence from royal life has caused a deluge of conspiracy theories to her whereabouts, this was worsened when she released  doctored image of her posing with her children fro Mother's Day. 

Six of the world's top picture agencies including the Press Association then sensationally pulled the photo from their wires and libraries amid concern that the 'source has manipulated the image'.

But now sources within the royal circles are warning of the negative affect rumours may be having on the future Queen as she recovers from her major surgery in January.

'It’s an awful lot to be under all of this public scrutiny when you are recovering from major surgery,' one told American celebrity news site Page Six.

Now, the royal mother-of-three will be leaning on a group of friends and family to support her through the fallout.

Among them is her sister Pippa and mother Carole, as well as old school friends and extended family.

Here, FEMAIL looks at Kate's inner circle... 

Lady Laura Meade 

Lady Laura is daughter to Julian Marsham, 8th Earl of Romney, and married James in 2013, a wedding attended by William

Lady Laura Meade (seen to the left of Kate with a hairband) is said to be godmother to Prince Louis, while James is reportedly godfather to Princess Charlotte. The couple live near the Cambridges' country retreat Amner Hall

Laura Meade is the wife of James Meade, one of Prince William's closest friends from Eton, who was his best man and gave a speech at the royal wedding

Lady Laura Meade is the wife of James Meade, one of Prince William's closest friends from Eton, who was his best man and gave a speech at the royal wedding. 

She is daughter to Julian Marsham, 8th Earl of Romney, and married James in 2013, a wedding attended by William. 

Laura is said to be godmother to Prince Louis, while James is reportedly godfather to Princess Charlotte.

The couple, who also live near the Cambridges' country retreat Amner Hall, and are regular visitors.

Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe 

Prince William's lifelong pal Thomas van Straubenzee is now engaged to marry Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe, a teacher at Thomas's Battersea, the school attended by George and Charlotte. On Sunday, the couple were pictured alongside the Prince and Princess of Wales at church service in Sandringham

Prince William's lifelong pal Thomas van Straubenzee, is to married to Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe, a teacher at Thomas's Battersea, the school previously attended by George and Charlotte.

Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe, the assistant head teacher at Thomas's Clapham, tied the knot in a lowkey ceremony in 2020, with just their parents and siblings present.

They had planned a more grand affair, with Charlotte as a bridesmaid and William an usher,  but it was stripped back due to Covid-19 restrictions.  

Mr van Straubenzee, 40, who is the boss at the private office of property firm Knight Frank, married the Duke of Northumberland's daughter Lady Melissa Percy in 2013.

Their wedding was held at her family's ancestral home Alnwick Castle, which doubles as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films. Princes William and Harry were among the guests.

But within three years they split, with Mr van Straubenzee finding love with 34-year old Ms Lanigan-O'Keeffe. 

Charity-minded Ms Lanigan-O'Keeffe, whose brother is Irish Olympic pentathlete Arthur Lanigan-O'Keeffe, runs the social action projects for Thomas's schools across London.

The teacher is originally from Co Kilkenny, Ireland, and the barrister Stephen Lanigan-O'Keeffe is her father.

Zoe Warren 

Zoe Warren is married to Darren Warren, a close friend to Princes William and Harry, who was one of Princess Diana's godchildren, and whose father was the late Queen's racing manager John Warren (seen the wedding of Princess Eugenie of York and Jack Brooksbank at St George's Chapel on October 12, 2018)

With their mutual interest of racing, the royal family and the Warrens are frequently spotted together at Ascot (seen in 2013 with the late Duke of Edinburgh)

Zoe Warren is married to Darren Warren, a close friend to Princes William and Harry, who was one of Princess Diana's godchildren, and whose father is the Queen's racing manager John Warren.

Their daughter Zalia was a bridesmaid at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding, and is one of Harry's goddaughters. 

With their mutual interest of racing, the royal family and the Warrens are frequently spotted together at Ascot. 

Emilia Jardine-Paterson

Emilia Jardine-Paterson has been credited with introducing the Prince and Princess of Wales. Seen for the christening of Prince George

Emilia's husband David Jardine-Paterson is the scion of a Scottish landowning family descended from the illustrious Hong Kong banking Jardines and was a contemporary of Prince William's at Eton

A friend of William's from his teenage years and a schoolfriend of Kate's from Marlborough College, glamorous Emilia Jardine-Paterson has been credited with introducing the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Her husband David Jardine-Paterson is the scion of a Scottish landowning family descended from the illustrious Hong Kong banking Jardines and was a contemporary of Prince William's at Eton.

Like his wife, Mr Jardine-Paterson also has a Middleton connection: his younger brother, JJ, went out with Pippa for four years.

Mrs Jardine-Paterson, who is one of Prince George's seven godparents, has become a fixture in royal circles.

Mrs Jardine-Paterson, an interior designer, is also thought to be partly responsible for a redecoration of Anmer Hall, having provided the royal with design tips for fabrics, trimmings and furniture.

Hannah Carter 

Hannah (seen with husband Robert at the wedding of William van Cutsem and Rosie Ruck Keene) and Kate attended Marlborough College together, where they played on several of the same sports teams

Hannah and Kate attended Marlborough College together, where they played on several of the same sports teams.

Kate's sister Pippa was a couple of years below Kate at the same school and also played sports.

She is married to Robert Carter, whose family are wealthy Norfolk landowners.

Both William and Kate attended their wedding in 2012.

Her sister-in-law, Sophie Carter, is one of Charlotte's godparents.

Sophie Snugg (nee Carter)

Sophie has been a friend to Kate for many years and is often to be found quietly by the Princess's side at various parties and events

Sophie is one of Charlotte's godparents, and was seen attending her christening in 2015

Sophie Carter, Lady Laura Meade and James Meade attend the wedding of Pippa Middleton and James Matthews at St Mark's Church

Sophie has been a friend to Kate for many years and is often to be found quietly by the Princess's side at various parties and events.

While in their younger days the girls used to party the nights away, they now mainly watch tennis (they play together and hang out at Wimbledon), though they were pictured cheering exuberantly at Cirque du Soleil for Kate's 31st birthday.

The daughter of Norfolk construction tycoon Robert Carter, Sophie is also, helpfully, an expert in early years' learning, having been a nursery and prep school teacher.

The Durham University graduate has developed a phonics educational app, 'Hip Hop Hen', and also lives near the couples' Amner Hall retreat.

Sophie used to date Prince William's pal, Thomas van Straubenzee, who is now engaged to marry Lucy Lanigan-O'Keeffe, a teacher at Prince George's school.

Sophie is one of Charlotte's godparents, and was seen attending her christening in 2015.

Trini Foyle 

Trini Lough is one of Kate's more low-key schoolfriends, who was on hand when Kate and William briefly split in 2007, and then attended their wedding and subsequent christenings

Trini Lough is one of Kate's more low-key schoolfriends, who was on hand when Kate and William briefly split in 2007, and then attended their wedding and their children's christenings.

Despite keeping out of the public eye, she Kate were  often seen strolling with their buggies through Kensington Gardens. when their children were younger.

After Marlborough, Trini took an MA in politics at Edinburgh University, while working as an assistant in the office of Jeremy Hunt MP. 

She then worked as an account manager. She lives with husband Ted Foyle, a lawyer, and son Alexander (born in 2013) in a £1.4 million house in Wandsworth, south west London.

Alicia Fox-Pitt 

A 6ft redhead, Alicia Fox-Pitt, the younger sister of Olympic eventing star William, is a loyal friend of Kate's from her Marlborough College days

Rowing: Alicia recruited Kate for the famous Sisterhood rowing team, which planned to cross the Channel

A 6ft redhead, Alicia Fox-Pitt, the younger sister of Olympic eventing star William, is a loyal friend of Kate's from her Marlborough College days.

Indeed, it was Ms Fox-Pitt who recruited Kate for the now famous Sisterhood rowing team, which planned to cross the Channel for charity.

'She's been training with us,' said Ms Fox-Pitt at the time. 'All being well she will be in the boat. She is a very gifted sportswoman and we played a lot of sport together at school.'

The Princess, who was midway through her temporary separation from Prince William at the time, bowed out when the couple reunited.

Nevertheless, the pair remain close friends and Alicia, who married entrepreneur Sebastian Stoddart in 2013, shares Kate's love of all things sport.

 Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan

Fashion designers Natasha Rufus Isaacs and Lavinia Brennan are part of an exclusive group of designers to be worn regularly by the Princess, who memorably opted for a bespoke Beulah London dress for her visit to a Malaysian mosque in 2012

Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs is an old friend of the Princess - and is married to Kate's former boyfriend Rupert Finch, they share a daughter Georgia.

Her father, the Marquess of Reading, is also close to Prince Charles and as a result, Lady Natasha has known Prince William since she was a little girl.

Lady Natasha also has a fashion connection to the royal and runs one of Kate and Pippa's favourite brands, Beulah London, alongside fashion designer and best friend, Lavinia Brennan.

The design duo are part of an exclusive group of designers to be worn regularly by Kate , who memorably opted for a bespoke Beulah London dress for her visit to a Malaysian mosque in 2012.

'We never know when she is going to wear something, but we do know she has when we see a push on the website,' said Miss Brennan of the Kate effect.

'It's only ever a little one and it's always from the US. We don't sell out overnight.'

Alice St John Webster

Alice was in the same year as Kate at Marlborough College, the Wiltshire public school that Pippa also attended. She is pictured on her wedding day

During their school years, Ms St. John Webster was in the school tennis team with Pippa and Kate and also attended Edinburgh University with Kate, where she studied French and Spanish

Alice was in the same year as Kate at Marlborough College, the Wiltshire public school that Pippa also attended.

During their school years, Ms St. John Webster was in the school tennis team with Pippa and Kate and also attended Edinburgh University with Miss Middleton, where she studied French and Spanish.

An integral member of the 'Glosse Posse', the young and glamorous Gloucestershire polo set, she is also a close friend of Guy Pelly and Alicia Fox-Pitt.

At the Royal Wedding, Ms St John Webster was given a prime seat in the Statesmen's Aisle, next to Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs, and behind Prince William's ex-girlfriend, Arabella Musgrave.

The mother-of-one, who is married to Gerald Alvenel, a French banker at Merrill Lynch, now lives in Fulham (well-placed for visits to Kensington Palace) and teaches French and Spanish.

Natasha Archer

Her job title might be Kensington Palace PA but Natasha - or Tash as she is fondly known - has become a close confidante and travels around the world with the royal. She is pictured in 2016 in Assam, India

Her job title might be Kensington Palace PA but Natasha - or Tash as she is fondly known - has become a close confidante and travels around the world with the royal.

Miss Archer's first foray into the public eye came in July 2013 when she was one of the few people to visit the then newborn Prince George while still at the Lindo Wing.

The loyal aide, who studied Hispanic Studies at King's College London, was seen carrying a dress bag and baby car seat as she made her way inside alongside hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker.

Miss Archer was also a key part of the team to travel Down Under in 2018 and was seen hauling an armful of garment bags off the Royal Australian Air Force jet that flew the couple to Wellington, New Zealand for the first leg of the tour.

'Natasha's main role is as a PA, but over the last few months she has assisted Kate as a style adviser,' a source told Grazia magazine.

'Natasha and Kate get on very well. She has always supported and advised Kate - and the royal loves Natasha's style, so it seemed like an obvious appointment.

'Natasha has been helping Kate pick outfits for the tour.'

Pippa Middleton 

More than just sisters, the Princess of Wales  and her younger sibling are also best friends who spend as much time together as possible (seen together at Wimbledon with Meghan Marklein 2019)

More than just sisters, the Princess of Wales and her younger sibling are also best friends who spend as much time together as possible.

Pippa plays the active role of auntie to Kate's three children, and the two now have children of similar ages. 

Despite her busy schedule, author and athlete, Pippa is a regular visitor to Windsor Castle and Anmer Hall and is often spotted holidaying with Kate. 

Pippa previously said: 'We spend a lot of time together. We still do a lot together as a family. And I think that's really the heart for all of us is having a really close family that we can sort of be normal with each other, treat each other normally.

'And that's sort of kept us all, you know, affixed to the ground.'

Zara Tindall 

Princess Anne's daughter Zara might be William's first cousin but the Olympic silver medallist is just as close to Kate. Seen together at the Royal Ascot in 2019

Princess Anne's daughter Zara might be William's first cousin but the Olympic silver medallist is just as close to Kate.

The two, who had their first children just six months apart, are said to be really 'good chums' who were thrilled to have had babies so near each other.

They are on the 'same wavelength', a source told the Mail on Sunday. 'They like to live and eat organically and Zara has helped Kate get over her fear of horses.

'They share many jokes and Kate can relax in her presence more than any other royal cousin.' 

Carole Middleton

She's been there as a hands-on grandmother, a reassuring presence at huge royal events and the envy of all the parents in the schoolyard - so it's no wonder that Carole Middleton is sure to be supporting her daughter. Both pictured in 2017

Carole has also always reportedly been 'one of the girls' with her daughters, meaning they would never shy away from involving their mother in their life. Pictured with Pippa during the the 'Together at Christmas' Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in 2022 

She's been there as a hands-on grandmother, a reassuring presence at huge royal events and the envy of all the parents in the schoolyard - so it's no wonder that Carole Middleton is sure to be supporting her daughter, the Princess of Wales, through a tough time. Pictured in 2011

While the Prince of Wales has been at his wife's side - and representing her at engagements - Carole, 69, also looks to have been eagerly on-hand to do what she can. Pictured in 2011

She's been there as a hands-on grandmother, a reassuring presence at huge royal events and the envy of all the parents in the schoolyard - so it's no wonder that Carole Middleton is sure to be supporting her daughter, the Princess of Wales, through a tough time.

Kate, 42, is likely to have been doted on by her caring parents after leaving the hospital in January.

While the Prince of Wales has been at his wife's side - and representing her at engagements - Carole, 69, also looks to have been eagerly on-hand to do what she can.

Earlier this month,  Kate's mother was snapped at the wheel of a car driving her daughter - who was pictured for the first time in two months - around Windsor Castle.

The photos were published by US gossip website TMZ but not in the UK after Kensington Palace appealed for her to be able to recuperate in private.

Speaking to PEOPLE, a palace insider said that Carole and her husband, who only need to take a short drive from Bucklebury, Berkshire to Windsor, are already 'an enduring factor in the upbringing of their grandchildren'.

'And they will be a reassuring presence when she goes back to Windsor to recuperate.'

Carole and her husband Michael, 74, have long been known for their hands-on parenting approach.

Speaking to Tatler, insiders who knew the Middleton children at school said the family was notorious for 'doing everything to the very highest of standards'.

'There were huge picnics on sports days, the smartest tennis rackets — that kind of thing. It made the rest of us all feel rather hopeless,' a fellow parents told the outlet.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh

After William and Kate relocated to Windsor, they have stayed close to Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward, who live at at nearby Bagshot Park. The pair are pictured in 2011

After William and Kate relocated to Windsor, they have stayed close to Duchess Sophie and Prince Edward, who live at at nearby Bagshot Park.

The Duchess of Edinburgh and and the Princess of Wales have built up a strong friendship over the years,  after both marrying into the Firm.

'Sophie will have been calling to see if she can help out.

'After all, she went through a near fatal emergency during the birth of her daughter Lady Louise and also suffered an ectopic pregnancy, so she knows exactly what it’s like to have major surgery and come through it,' royal expert Jennie Bond told OK!. 

Maria  Borrallo 

Nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo (in her Norland Nanny Uniform) talking to the late Queen at Princess Charlotte's Christening in July 2015

Kate and William with nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo and the late Queen outside the church following Princess Charlotte's Christening

The family are being supported by their staff, including loyal, long-standing nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo (pictured in May for the Coronation of King Charles III)

Mr Fitzwilliams said that Kate has embarked on what everyone hopes will be a full recovery, but added that there will be a long 'convalescence'.

'William will be with her and forgoing royal duties for as long as he feels it is necessary. He has always put his family first,' he said. 

'Kate has been as hands on a mother as her role permits, but she has said that having a nanny is indispensable. 

'Maria Teresa is, according to reports, extremely popular with the children but her training at Norland has meant she is ideal for whatever this role requires.

'She is of course a background figure, who is seen at some important royal occasions and who is indispensable at a time like this. 

'Her training at the prestigious Norland College in Bath where she learnt a huge variety of skills and to work long hours if needed, will be particularly useful during the pivotal weeks of Catherine's recovery.

'The coming weeks may be difficult and will be a test of this redoubtable figure, who is so trusted by the future King and Queen.'

Kate and William with nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo and the late Queen outside the church following Princess Charlotte's Christening

Prince George of Cambridge is held by his nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo as he waves from the window of Buckingham Palace as he watches the Trooping The Colour on June 13, 2015 in London

Maria has been a loyal nanny to Kate and William for almost a decade now 

Parenting expert Jo Frost told Hello! that Maria is a staple for the Wales family. 

'The blessing of her nurturing ways and wonderful service to the family leave the children in good steady hands, affording William the flexibility to be present as a father, attend to his royal duties where he can at home and be the emotional support he will want to be for his wife.' 

The Spanish 'supernanny' was hired by Kate and William in 2014 to help them look after Prince George when he was eight months old. She now cares for Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis too.

She lived with the family at Kensington Palace but when they moved into Adelaide Cottage in Windsor's Home Park she stopped being a live-in nanny, though she has continued to care from the children while living at another property. 

At the time she was hired, Kensington Palace released a statement saying: 'Maria is a full-time nanny, who started work with us recently, and will be accompanying the Duke and Duchess and Prince George to New Zealand and Australia.

He added: 'We will not be giving further details on Maria or her employment, except to say that the Duke and Duchess are of course delighted she has chosen to join them.'