The Duchess of Cambridge has told friends that nothing is more important to her than ‘Queen, country and family’.
The highly-revealing insight into Kate’s values comes in a special edition of The Mail on Sunday’s You magazine packed with fascinating details of the dramatic recent makeover that’s turned her into the Duchess of Dazzle.
Insiders have spoken of how Kate has become more self-assured, more stylish – and even changed her voice.
Public speaking once induced dread and left her tripping over words. Now she speaks faultlessly about her cherished causes and has ditched the clipped tones in favour of a more natural voice.
And abandoning her ‘armour’ of knee-length tailored dresses and clutch bags, her new wardrobe includes bold, designer blouses and chic mini-handbags. She has a new hairstyle and has even toned down her make up.
Insiders have spoken of how Kate Middleton, 37, has become more self-assured, more stylish – and even changed her voice – sounding more natural. The Duchess is seen giving a speech at the launch of The RRS Sir David Attenborough this week
After abandoning her ‘armour’ of knee-length tailored dresses and clutch bags, Kate’s new wardrobe includes bold, designer blouses and chic mini-handbags. Pictured: The Duchess in a smart Gucci blouse on a visit to the Henry Fawcett Children’s Centre in Kennington, London, in March 2019
The Duchess, pictured with Princess Charlotte on her first day of school at Thomas’s Battersea, has a new on-trend ‘bronde’ (blonde and brown) hairstyle and has even toned down her make up
One insider explained how the Duchess cherishes traditional values, saying: ‘Kate’s view is that Queen, country and family come first. She is very clear on her priorities and the values that guide how she lives and works.’
In part at least she is said to have been galvanised by the Duchess of Sussex, making a virtue of their contrasting styles. While Meghan is often described as high-handed with underlings, Kate could not be a more reasonable boss.
A source said: ‘She takes the time to listen to ideas from the most junior members in her team. Afterwards they’ll say, “Wow, she knows my name. She asked me what I thought”.’ She is also loyal and ‘if you make a mistake will back you regardless’.
Kate is now often seen taking the lead at engagements and speaks faultlessly about her cherished causes and has ditched the clipped tones in favour of a more natural voice
One insider explained how the Duchess cherishes traditional values, saying: ‘Kate’s view is that Queen, country and family come first. She is very clear on her priorities and the values that guide how she lives and works.’
In seeking international appeal Meghan, a former actress, is seen as having brought a touch of showbusiness to her role, peppering her Instagram page with right-on quotes and surrounding herself with outside advisers, whose views are often at odds with courtiers.
Kate, meanwhile, gets her message across in a more traditional way, raising awareness of charities while updating followers on engagements.
And while Meghan came under fire for using six private jets over the summer, Kate made sure her family boarded a commercial plane to visit the Queen at Balmoral.
A source said of Kate: ‘She is very clear on her priorities and that values that guide how she lives and works. It’s about treating other people well to get the best out of them.
‘She takes her role very seriously and just wants to do the best job she can.’
Kate, seen opening an academy in Feltham in 2012, has certainly come far in her wardrobe choices and style
In part at least she is said to have been galvanised by the Duchess of Sussex, making a virtue of their contrasting styles. They are seen at Trooping the Colour in June
The Queen has played a part by elevating Kate’s status. On April 29, the eighth anniversary of her marriage to Prince William, the Duchess was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, the highest honour that can be bestowed upon a female member of the Royal family.
With so much attention fixed elsewhere – on Meghan, herself, Prince Andrew’s links with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and the rumours of a rift between William and Harry – Kate’s quiet transformation has gone almost unnoticed.
Aides say she is finally letting her guard down and is not afraid to be vulnerable – and it’s an approach that is working.