Wills & Kate's magical appeal JEWELS IN THE CROWN

A hit with both young and old, the hard-working, relatable royals take the palace popularity prize

Nobody knows the royal family quite as well as those who have worked with them and observed them behind the scenes, day after day.

Now two of those former staffers are speaking out about who they believe are the family’s Most Valuable Players and they’re in total agreement – it’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.

Looking back over the past few years and in particular at events since Covid struck, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton and Dickie Arbiter both have no doubt that the Cambridges are safeguarding the future of the monarchy by presenting a strong, united front, and bridging the gap between the generations. The pair have not put a foot wrong, and people of all ages like, trust and respect the couple to do the right thing by the Queen and for her subjects, they say.

Dickie, who was the Queen’s press secretary for 12 years, says Kate and William, both 39, have worked hard over the past 18 months despite the Covid constraints. Their enormous popularity is helping the younger generation look more favourably on the royal family now and hopefully for many years to come.

“It’s the third generation taking the lead,” Dickie, 81, says. “Young people know who the Queen is, but they can’t quite attune with someone so distant in terms of the age gap. The Cambridges act as a bridge between the young people and the older generation.”