Preparing to be Queen KATE'S READY TO REIGN

The princess has been busy behind the scenes preparing for her family's big moment

- Judy Kean

The 11-year apprenticeship she served as Duchess of Cambridge stood her in good stead for her next position as Princess of Wales.

Now, as she gives her all to her latest royal role, Princess Catherine is not only focusing on doing the best job she can with the extra responsibility she has taken on, but preparing for her next step up to Queen Consort.

“Kate is very much a millennial queen-in-waiting who will continue to bring stability and continuity to the monarchy,” says royal author Katie Nicholls. “She is a huge asset to the family and no-one sees that more than the King. He absolutely recognises and appreciates what she brings.”

Katie says one of the reasons Kate has won the admiration of not just senior royals like King Charles, 74, but the public, is the way she’s been able to balance motherhood with taking on added responsibility.

“She hasn’t been afraid to show us that image of herself as a royal mother,” says Katie. “Her great success is being there as a future Queen Consort, supporting her husband Prince William and being a hands-on mum, and managing to juggle all of these roles.”

Fellow royal writer Emily Andrews says building a happy family life behind the scenes for her and William, 40, and their children Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, has been crucial.