BRAVE BEATRICE 'IS A GREAT ROLE MODEL'

FUN, FEARLESS AND DEVOTED TO DUTY, WE CELEBRATE PRINCESS BEATRICE WHO, AS SHE TURNS 35, IS FAST BECOMING THE ROYAL FAMILY'S SECRET ASSET

- LISA BLAKE

SUPPORTING STAR

The British monarchy has always had strong women at its heart and never more so than in the 21st Century. But until now, one of them hasn’t received quite the recognition she rightly deserves: Princess Beatrice.

As she celebrates her 35th birthday this week, some are even dubbing her the royals’ “secret weapon” – more carefree than the Duchess of Edinburgh, more down to earth than The Princess Royal and more relatable than the polished Princess of Wales.

It’s nearly a year into Beatrice’s role as one of King Charles’ seven Counsellors of State. The promotion allows her to represent the monarch on official duties when required. And in this time, she has evolved from a mere “extra” to a popular “supporting star” on the royal stage.

“Beatrice has put up with a lot of pressure and a lot of criticism in her life but she has really come into her own,” notes former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond. “We already have a divorced queen on the throne. Now we have a relatable princess. Beatrice is a stepmother, who talks publicly about her dyslexia and who has more recently had to deal with the trauma of her mother, Sarah, Duchess of York, having breast cancer. It makes her much more accessible. She seems to be universally liked.”

Brand and culture expert Nick Ede thinks her life experiences even put her in a good place to help heal the rift between her cousin Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and his brother the Prince of Wales – something others, including the Princess of Wales, have yet to succeed at.