'KATE DOESN'T GET ENOUGH CREDIT'

THE PRINCESS OF WALES HAS GROWN IN CONFIDENCE AND TRULY EARNED HER PLACE AS A SENIOR ROYAL, EXPERTS TELL OK!

-  REBECCA RUSSELL

As one of the most instantly-recognisable women in the world, the Princess of Wales is on her way to becoming a true royal icon.

The once quiet and reserved Kate has been replaced by an assured, playful – and occasionally forceful – figure, commanding as much respect from the public as King Charles or Prince William could ever hope for.

Kate certainly began her royal journey in Prince William’s shadow, and was shy at times. But as a mother-of-three and charity figurehead, her confidence has grown and she is now looked upon as a royal matriarch for the modern age.

This expertly-manoeuvred rise is something richly deserved, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!, as she compared the way Kate uses her “soft power” to that of her husband’s great-grandmother, the late Queen Mother.

Jennie explained, “People always used to describe the Queen Mother as ‘steel in a velvet glove’. She was always charming, gentle and much admired. But she was also the strength behind her husband, George Vl, and at the Palace her opinion counted. I think Kate has some of those same qualities.

“She has learned the craft of being royal over a number of years and earned her place as a senior member of the family. Gradually, she has also earned the respect of the public and, I believe, of the rest of the family. We look at her now not just as William’s wife, but as our future Queen.”

Kate’s rise in confidence is also reflected in her fashion choices. The princess often wears bright, block colours when attending royal engagements, emulating Queen Elizabeth – who would famously opt for bold outfits that would allow her to stand out in a crowd and make her presence known.