Many royal commentators have noticed a more outgoing and confident side of Kate in recent months. And one royal expert believes this is the result of the work Kate has been doing far from the public eye since she joined the House of Windsor in April 2011.
Royal expert Marlene Koenig, founder of the website Royal Musings, told Express.co.uk: “Catherine has been doing behind the scenes work for several years now, meeting with her charities to discuss projects.
“I think she prefers the slow and steady kind of work, taking on work more slowly, but surely.
“I admit that I had been hoping to see more activity in the past few years, and now, that is happening.
“I think Catherine does feel more confident – and willing – to do more public engagements, and not just in London.
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“It is a good thing to be doing engagements in Northern Ireland and Scotland — and on her own, which is very important as the next-but-one-Queen Consort.”
Since January, Kate has launched a nationwide survey of under-fives and their wellbeing, toured the four nations of the UK, visited Ireland with Prince William on the royals’ first-ever tour abroad after Brexit and became the first member of the Royal Family to be the guest on a podcast.
Kate has focused her attention and work over the past years on the how the experience lived by young children can have an impact on adulthood.
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Thanks to both her survey, her royal engagements and the steering group she founded in March 2018, the Duchess of Cambridge is now respected for her expertise by many specialists, according to a source.
They told Stella, the Daily Telegraph’s lifestyle magazine: “She doesn’t just want to talk about this issue, but to build an evidence base for action.
“It’s easy to dismiss work on child development as nice and cuddly, but the social side of this is as significant as climate change.
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“She’s worked away quietly and become an expert in the field.
“She understands the science and she’s now respected by the people in the sector because she’s spent years trying to work it all out.
“So it is only natural for people to want to hear more from her about it.”
Another factor that may have helped Kate to increase the number of royal engagements and her reach are her growing children.
As both Prince George and Princess Charlotte now attend Thomas’s Battersea school in South London, Kate has more time to dedicate to her royal work.
Ms Koenig continued: “Two of her three children are in school.
“Family life matters to William and Catherine as they juggle an increasing number of engagements.
“I won’t be surprised if we see them taking on more patronages in the next few years, as well as more overseas travel.”
Just like the other members of the Royal Family, Kate and William are currently trying to carry out their royal engagements from home.
According to the Court Circular, the Duke of Cambridge held a meeting over the phone with the CEO of one of his patronage, the Passage.
