21/08/2024
📮 Historian Michael Reed, a high school teacher in Melbourne, Australia, began researching Kate’s family tree with his students after she married Prince William. And that’s the story he found that made national headlines.
On April 17, 1900, a 19-year-old vacationer was swept away by a wave off the coast of Fili, a North Yorkshire seaside town popular for its sandy beaches and cliffs. Despite the efforts of friends, Margaret Middleton drowned at sea and her body has never been found.
A few days later, Margaret’s camera floated ashore from the sea.
Margaret was fond of photography.
That day, she was standing on the edge of a long narrow shore, a peninsula known as Filey Brigg, filming waves and a strong wave knocked her off her feet.
«It’s extraordinary that so many generations of the Middleton family have been passionate about photographers. It ‘s in their blood. But it is tragic to discover that her great-great-great aunt paid for her love of photography with her life. Her family must be devastated. She was so young, and she had such a promising future.»- historian Michael Reed.
Kate’s grandfather, Peter, was a pilot and when Kate was a child, he taught her how to use the camera.
Pictured is Peter (Kate’s grandfather)
