The Princess of Wales's calculated and resolute approach to royal life is being hailed as a crucial defence for the monarchy's survival amidst ongoing scandals, a leading expert has revealed.
The 'Steely' Outsider
According to royal expert Tessa Dunlop, writing for the Independent, Kate Middleton's middle-class background, which was heavily scrutinised when she married Prince William, has become her greatest strength. Unlike those born into aristocratic circles, her status as an outsider who worked for acceptance has given her a unique perspective and a steely determination to protect the institution.
This guardedness allows her to identify potential threats to the Crown and maintain a strategic distance from those who may not have its best interests at heart. Dunlop suggests this is a quality that figures like Sarah Ferguson, who was deeply embedded in royal circles before her marriage, fundamentally lack.
A Public Display of Coldness
The expert pointed to a recent, very public example of this protective strategy at the Duchess of Kent's funeral. Cameras captured the Princess of Wales giving Sarah Ferguson a visible cold shoulder, a move described as a 'fitting riposte' on a sombre day.
Dunlop dubbed Kate the protective huntress, a meticulous player who fends off danger with her poise and an 'ice-queen exterior'. This behaviour was mirrored by Prince William, who was similarly frosty towards his uncle, the former Prince Andrew, at the same event. Andrew attempted to engage his nephew in conversation but was met with curt responses from the future King.
The Long Game and a Brutal Streak
The expert's analysis claims that both William and Kate possess a brutal, steely streak and are known for playing the long game. It has been widely reported that Prince William was instrumental in the downfall of Prince Andrew.
According to royal author Omid Scobie's book Endgame, it was William's influence that helped push the late Queen to take decisive action against Andrew in 2022. This led to Andrew being stripped of his royal patronages and military titles, forcing him to face a civil case in the US as a private citizen. Andrew later settled the case with his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, out of court for a reported sum of millions while continuing to deny her allegations.
Author Andrew Lownie further suggested that William likely stiffened King Charles's resolve in the recent, more formal denouncement of Andrew from the palace. Dunlop concluded that Kate's wariness, including her studied coolness towards Meghan Markle, stems from a couple deeply wary of newcomers who appear not to understand or value the institution they are dedicated to preserving.
