QUEEN-IN-WAITING KATE'S READY TO RULE!

Why Her Majesty has given the duchess the royal thumbs up

- Karleigh Smith

In her decade as Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine has made a point to appear as an everywoman, doing the school run, taking the kids to the park, and wearing high-street labels such as Zara and LK Bennett.

It was one of the reasons she’s become one of the world’s most beloved public figures – and while she’s still determined to always appear accessible, in recent weeks, the 39-year-old has displayed a decidedly more regal look... and Woman’s Day has uncovered why.

“With the Queen increasingly frail and Camilla set to be known as Princess Consort once Prince Charles is crowned, the palace has come to realise Kate is the next Queen of the Commonwealth – and that time is getting closer,” a royal insider tells us.

“As she approaches 40 and her children grow older, she’s making a concentrated effort on looking more royal. Her future role demands that of her.”

Fans received their first taste of the new-look Kate at the world premiere of No Time To Die, where she wore a dazzling gold Jenny Packham gown, followed by last week’s lilac Alexander McQueen look – recycled from a 2011 engagement – in London.