Kate Middleton Can’t Get Enough of This Summer Salad (and Neither Can I)

Juicy, thirst-quenching watermelon always reminds me of hot summer afternoons spent doing cannonballs into my grandparents’ condo pool or, a distant backup plan, running through the lawn sprinkler. Either way, if it was one of those sweltering days where the sun baked the neighborhood sidewalks, a slice of the sweet fruit always hit the spot.

We snacked on thick wedges, spitting the slick, black seeds at each other (if they weren’t already growing watermelon patches in our guts). Nowadays, you’re more likely to find me digging into a big salad highlighted by the fruit, and apparently Kate Middleton makes just the one I want to eat.

What Is the Famous Kate Middleton Watermelon Salad?

The watermelon salad that’s allegedly a favorite of Kate Middleton is pure refreshment for warmer days. It’s lightly sweet and fully hydrating; has a satisfying mix of textures thanks to creamy feta, crunchy cukes, and crisp melon; and is full of flavor with the addition of fresh herbs and lime. I can’t get enough of it.

My boyfriend called the salad “something special,” then followed up later (totally out of the blue) by declaring it “the best recipe” I’ve ever made—for reference, he’s a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy. As he packed some for his lunch the next day, he once again praised this sensational salad.

Have I uncovered the real Marry Me Salad? TBD. But I do think you can win over your loved ones with this recipe. Simply chop the handful of ingredients, toss them into a bowl, and present the dish as a sign of devotion.

Tips for Making Kate Middleton’s Watermelon Salad

• I used an English cucumber because this is British Kate’s salad, and I wouldn’t dream of snubbing the crown by using anything else.
• There are loads of illustrated diagrams describing how to pick a sweet, ripe watermelon (one that’s heavy, circular, and dark, with a yellow “field spot” where it rests all season). But my neighbor who stocks produce at Ralphs showed me a secret: Tap a watermelon like you’re playing the bongos and listen for a hollow sound—it means your fruit is ripe ‘n’ ready to rock.
• “Hello, Buckingham Palace? I’ve got a hot tip for the Princess!” Since you’re squeezing in lime juice, go ahead and grate the zest! The lime flavor gets a little lost in the mix, whereas the zest lends a welcome zip.
• Something to keep in mind: Watermelon salad is super… watery. Next time, I plan to cut the fruit and the cucumber, toss it with a little salt, and let it rest in a colander to leach its water while I chop the remaining ingredients. I’m thinking this step might also allow the produce to soak up all that vinegary dressing. The excess liquid in the original method might not bug you, but I felt like it washed away all the flavor I just added.