While the Princess of Wales is one of the most popular royals, her stoic nature and ‘never complain, never explain’ attitude, adopted from the late Queen, has seen her unfairly branded as dull.
In November 2023, she was viciously reduced to a ‘Stepford-like royal wife’ by Omid Scobie in his book Endgame, where the Sussexes’ biographer decried her ‘cold’ persona.
His analysis was that Kate had ‘never challenged the system with public struggles or oversized aspirations’ while fitting neatly within the mould of a ‘princess’.
What’s more, Kate has also had to contend with constant comparison with William’s mother Princess Diana.
Now, however, as the Princess of Wales celebrates her 44th birthday, her legacy is more assured than ever – and that’s thanks to forging her own path that’s very different to her late mother-in-law’s according to royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams.
‘She is not likely to emulate Diana who reached out to others brilliantly but was also brittle and deeply unhappy. They are too different to be compared,’ he explained.
‘Catherine’s legacy will be one of total loyalty to her husband and the institution of monarchy.’
Despite being crowned Vogue’s ‘eternal influencer’ for her ‘iconic’ and immaculate style, Kate appears to have a renewed sense of purpose as Mr Fitzwilliams noted she is ‘happily in remission from cancer and increasing her public engagements’.
Data from the Court Circular revealed the mother-of-three undertook 68 public engagements after announcing she was in remission during an emotional visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital in London, where she received treatment.
A key focus for Kate in 2025 was expanding what she has described as her ‘life’s work’ as a champion for early years development with her ‘landmark’ Centre for Early Childhood that was established in 2021.
In November 2025, the Princess delivered her first public speech in nearly two years when she addressed the centre’s first-of-its-kind Future Workforce Summit in London – as she called on business leaders to support children and their families.
Mr Fitzwilliams said royal fans can expect to see Kate at even more ‘high-profile’ engagements that support the cause when she becomes Queen.
‘She has said that her work on early childhood is her “life’s work”. Expect this to be a project she will continue to support when she is Queen, just as Charles has with inter-religious understanding and the environment,’ he explained.
‘She has founded the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood and given it an extremely high profile.’
The royal commentator also noted that Kate, like William, was seemingly choosing fewer projects to sink her teeth into – rather than performing cursory duties for a wider variety of causes.
That’s not to say that Kate doesn’t understand – or want to uphold – the traditions of the Royal Family.
In a dazzling display of pomp and pageantry, Kate joined the King, Queen Camilla, and her husband Prince William at a Windsor Castle state banquet for the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier in December.
Mr Fitzwilliams separately elaborated: ‘She is regal yet also has a contemporary look, her fashion choices are iconic and she will be known as one who was fashionable and famous, but in a relatable way.
One of her most important jobs when Prince William becomes King will be revamping the Royal Family’s reputation for a new generation of Britons – in part due to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s defection.
‘Partly owing to the antics of the Sussexes, a majority of young people currently favour a republic.
‘However the same group shows poll ratings of 70-75 per cent for Catherine, and I believe her legacy will include changing the attitudes of many of this pivotal group.’
As a staunch advocate for mental health and wellness, Kate could help shift the narrative of ‘work-life balance’ that resonates with millennials and Gen Z.
In another moving video released in September that year, the Princess said her focus was to remain cancer-free while making a gradual and ‘measured’ return to public life.
The poignant video underscored another key part of what Mr Fitzwilliams believes will become Kate’s legacy – a prioritisation of work-life balance while carrying out ‘one of the world’s most demanding jobs’.
Rare, intimate footage of the Wales family on holiday in Norfolk played as Kate told viewers how her cancer journey has ‘reminded William and me to reflect and be grateful for the simple yet important things in life…of simply loving and being loved’.
Mr Fitzwilliams said this showed how ‘one of Kate’s legacies is certain to be as someone who, together with William, prioritised a work-life balance successfully’.
He continued: ‘She together with William, brought up three children, ensuring they were shielded, save on special occasions, from the glare of the international media in an age of social media. This willl have been a challenge.
As for Mr Scobie’s ‘Stepford wife’ jibe, today it only shows just how far Kate has come.
