The Princess of Wales has employed a 'very clever' strategy to integrate into the Royal Family, according to royal author Catherine Mayer. In her new book, Divide and Rule: Royal Women and Their Battles, Mayer explains that Catherine, 44, does 'very little' public speaking and 'no confessional spilling' about her personal life.
Minimal Public Speaking and Controlled Privacy
Speaking on HELLO!'s A Right Royal Podcast, Mayer stated: 'She has done such a very clever job of finding a way to adapt to the institution. That does not mean I think she’s had it easy.' The princess and her husband, Prince William, have also carefully selected a circle of friends who rarely speak to the media, and when they do, it is only off the record.
Education and Imagery Mastery
Mayer also highlighted that Catherine's degree from the University of St Andrews—a Master of Arts in History of Art, earned in 2005—has aided her transition into royal life. 'I saw her own increasing mastery of imagery. So it's not just that she's chosen to be involved with the National Portrait Gallery or to do her own photography. But she understands how to use imagery to fulfil that royal role,' Mayer said.
Strategic Use of Personal Photographs
The mother of three often shares her own photographs to maintain control over her family's privacy. For instance, she releases images for each child's birthday and major events like Mother's Day. Mayer noted: 'She is also credited with the idea of giving out intimate family pictures as a way not of infringing her own privacy, but protecting it, because it stops paparazzi shots from having the same level of value. So it's really clever.'
Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment Announcements
In 2024, Catherine revealed her cancer diagnosis through an intimate video shared on Kensington Palace's official X and YouTube channels. She later used a similar family video to announce the completion of her cancer treatment. Her Father's Day post in June 2024, featuring Prince William and their children George, Charlotte, and Louis, was explicitly captioned as 'taken by The Princess of Wales.'
