The popularity of British royal family members has come under scrutiny in recent polls, reflecting the current state of the monarchy. Despite these challenges, support for Princess Catherine appears to have grown, showcasing remarkable strength in her public image. A new poll of Britons aged 18 to 75 reveals that she has risen to the top of public preferences, with an impressive 66% of respondents expressing a favorable opinion of her.
Earlier this week, the timing of a key update from The Prince and Princess of Wales raised eyebrows, coinciding closely with a high-profile appearance by Prince Harry. While the Duke of Sussex's return to London for the WellChild Awards garnered plenty of attention, just before it kicked off, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared their monthly rewind summary on social media. This early release—typically posted on the first of the month—occurred less than two hours before Harry's engagement began, leading to speculation about the timing.
Many observers doubt it was merely a coincidence that the recap was posted so late in the day. The royal family has traditionally avoided scheduling high-profile events on the same day to prevent overshadowing one another. Though this has become less of a concern with fewer royal events, old habits clearly die hard. There seems to be little reason for William to accommodate his brother's schedule now.
It’s suggested that Harry's recent announcement aims to distract from an important date for Prince William, but the Waleses are reportedly not playing the same game. Sources indicate that William will not be attending this year's summit in Manhattan, emphasizing that his absence has nothing to do with his brother. This move appears to send a clear message that William will not allow Harry to dictate the agenda.
Since the Sussexes left the UK, there has been a constant competition between the two couples. Observers note that the Sussexes often seem to seek the spotlight whenever the Prince and Princess of Wales garner attention. This trend is evident during royal birthdays or significant events, with the Sussexes frequently launching new projects at the same time. For instance, Meghan released new products for her lifestyle brand during the 2024 Trooping the Colour, coinciding with Catherine's first public appearance since announcing her cancer diagnosis.
Similarly, Harry chose to release his memoir, *Spare*, just days after Catherine's birthday, mirroring the moment in January 2020 when the Sussexes announced they were stepping back from royal duties on January 8th—the day before the Princess’s birthday—ensuring that her special day would be overshadowed.
In more recent developments, Prince William has reportedly enlisted the help of José Andrés, a renowned American chef, for his upcoming Earthshot Prize ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, this November. Andrés, who has publicly supported the Sussexes over the years, being involved with William's initiative serves as a stark illustration of the power dynamic between the two brothers. Faced with this choice, Andrés has opted to align himself with the future King of England, leaving Harry and Meghan to either accept this reality or cut ties with him themselves.
