Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesIt’s great to see Kate Middleton back in action and working again this year after spending most of 2023 taking time off or working behind the scenes as she went through chemotherapy. But even though she seems to be focusing more on her health and pacing herself where her work as a senior royal is concerned, it sounds like she’s still feeling a lot of “pressure” about what the future holds for her.
According to what royal expert and broadcaster Helena Chard told Fox News Digital, lately, when she’s not making sure she’s taking care of her health, Kate’s thinking about how she can continue “forging ahead as the relatable and relevant future queen.”
“Princess Catherine knew exactly what her role would be when marrying into the royal family. She has all the fitting attributes, seamlessly transitioning into her role over many years,” Helena told the news outlet. “She receives support from her family and learned from the very best, the late Queen Elizabeth II.”
Meanwhile, Prince William is continuing to improve upon his “soft diplomacy skills” as he prepares for his future role as king, too.
Another royal expert, Ian Pelham Turner, told Fox News Digital that the pressure has only mounted as King Charles, who is now 76, grows older – especially because he’s dealing with a cancer diagnosis of his own, which Ian said “has taken its toll” on him.
“The pressure of being the Princess of Wales, looking after a young family, being by William’s side, still recovering from cancer treatments, as well as the mental trauma she faced still weighs heavily on Kate,” he said. “But she seems to be smiling throughout, delighting crowds when seen in public, and giving a new confidence to the future monarchy.”
Fortunately, it does sound like she has a lot of support and encouragement along the way in the royal family, who think she’s handling her role as the Princess of Wales “with grace and dignity,” according to expert Hilary Fordwich. And as Helena noted, so far, things are going smoothly.
“There is talk of mounting pressure on Princess Catherine’s shoulders as she ramps up her role as Queen Catherine. However, there is no particular worry weighing her down,” she told Fox News Digital. “Princess Catherine does not entertain anything trivial. She is … much loved and championed by all the key royal players.”
