A royal author says the Princess of Wales has quietly won over palace insiders with a slow-and-steady approach that few expected from someone with no aristocratic background.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, biographer Simon Vigar, author of The Four Wives of Windsor, described Catherine as far from a background figure in royal circles.
According to him, she holds firm opinions and has become someone Prince William depends on heavily, much the way past monarchs relied on their spouses for support.
Vigar suggested that among the younger royals, Catherine may in fact be the sharpest strategist of the group. He noted that a close aide to William once described the Princess of Wales's mindset toward royal duties as one of patience rather than rushing into the spotlight, choosing instead to build her role gradually.
The author also pointed to Catherine's early influence in shaping the causes she and William championed together. While their charitable work initially touched on separate areas, including support for injured armed forces personnel, childhood development, and homelessness, it was reportedly Catherine who recognized the common thread tying these efforts together: mental health and emotional wellbeing. Vigar credited her, not William or Prince Harry, with identifying that unifying theme.
Drawing a comparison to the women who held the Princess of Wales title before her, Vigar said Catherine's path into the royal family stands apart from both Princess Diana's and Queen Camilla's. He described Diana as coming from an aristocratic family, and Camilla as similarly upper-class, though slightly less so than Diana. Catherine, by contrast, comes from a middle-class background, making her rise within the monarchy, in Vigar's words, a genuine social leap.
Key Takeaways
- Royal author Simon Vigar says Kate Middleton is far from a passive royal figure and holds strong personal views
- Prince William reportedly relies on her heavily, comparing her role to that of Camilla and the late Prince Philip
- An aide reportedly said Kate believes in gradual, unhurried progress rather than rushing her royal responsibilities
- Kate is credited with linking William and Harry's early charity work under one shared "mental wellbeing" theme
- Unlike Diana or Camilla, Kate came from a middle-class background, making her royal journey socially unprecedented
