Duchess of Cambridge READY FOR THE CROWN

THE MUM-OF-THREE’S COMMON TOUCH IS SAVING THE MONARCHY AS SHE PREPARES TO STEP UP AND SUPPORT THE QUEEN

- Kylie Walters

Just over 10 years have passed since Kate Middleton walked onto the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the first time after her wedding to Prince William and exclaimed “Oh wow” to the hundreds of thousands of well-wishers who had gathered below. While a lot has changed for the royal family in the decade since the one constant has been the Duchess of Cambridge’s public popularity – and it’s become the monarchy’s greatest asset.

Two scandal-filled years for the British royal family saw Prince Harry and Meghan Markle walkout, leaving accusations of racism in their wake, and Prince Andrew hit with a civil suit in a US court over shocking allegations of sexual assault. While the monarchy needs the guiding hand of the Queen now more than ever, after losing her husband Prince Philip just days before her 95th birthday in April, Elizabeth has been preparing for the Prince of Wales’ succession to the throne upon her death.

“We’re in a period of what can be called a soft regency, in effect the Queen is standing back, not doing many roles,” royal expert Andrew Lownie told British newspaper The Express. “The roles that she is doing are being accompanied by Prince Charles, everyone is being prepared for Charles and Camilla,” he added.