THE GREAT Royals’ leading lady
On the balcony of Buckingham Palace with Harry and Meghan in 2018, Kate still seemed to be eclipsed by William. She looked slightly submissive and would also have known William’s brother was behind him, which may have been awkward.
At the Baftas last Sunday, Kate appeared to be dominant in a hosting role and was unfazed by all the A-list stars. She instigated a touch ritual with Renée, which other members of the family would not do, and was engaged in conversation. She looked regal.
By Christmas 2018, Kate was starting to get into her more matriarchal role. She was happily at the centre of the family line-up and looked to be a dominant force. she really enjoys – and we saw that with the garden she designed at last year’s Chelsea Flower Show.
“In earlier years, she always had to toe the line. Now she can pursue her own interests more freely.”
Kate’s popularity with the British public seems to have rebooted her sense of style, too.
Ingrid says: “She used to be so careful, wearing little dresses and nude heels with everything, but she’s much less mumsy these days.
“Having everyone say she’s wonderful seems to have made her braver.”
Judi agrees, saying: “In the past, Kate always made a conscious attempt to look slightly bland, probably to avoid attracting too much press attention. But she and William are in a more relaxed place now so we see Kate with fabulous clothes instead of her slightly dowdy outfits.
“There has been a visible change in her. Perhaps she’s realised that people like her for herself, not just because she’s married to William.”
Above, Judi looks back at old photographs to examine Kate’s body language over the years…