KATE, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William are reportedly invoking Princess Diana’s “ease with ordinary people” in order to “remain relevant” according to a royal historian.Last month Prince William and his wife Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, both 39 stepped out on the red carpet for the premiere of the latest instalment in the James Bond franchise – No Time to Die.
The red carpet occasion marked the first instance that the Cambridges were seen alongside William’s father, and heir to the throne Prince Charles, 72 and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, 74 since June’s G7 summit in Cornwall.
Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with Princess Diana’s sapphire and diamond ring
Taking place on September 28, the Duchess of Cambridge wore a glittering gold Jenny Packham cape gown which prompted praise from royal watchers, and even from James Bond actor Daniel Craig.
While frequenting the event which took place at London’s Royal Albert Hall the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – who have been married for a decade – were witnessed holding hands, something not usually seen from royal couples and deemed a breach of protocol by traditionalists.
The affair to mark the latest in the 007 franchise and the fifth instalment of the series starring Daniel Craig as the protagonist, also saw the royals mingling with celebrities and a-list guests.
The royals interacted with Mr Craig’s co-stars Dame Judi Dench, Rami Malek, Ana de Armas, Léa Seydoux and Lashana Lynch, a feat which also came under the microscope as the couple were also deemed to breaching protocol by “blending in with everyday household celebrities”.
However Laura E Mayhall, associate professor of modern British history at The Catholic University of America has branded the actions of the royals, as channeling those of William’s late mother.
She told Express.co.uk: “The comment that William and Kate are deviating from royal protocol by hobnobbing with celebrities seems to suggest that royalty exists in a sphere outside of celebrity, which hasn’t been the case since the early 20th century.
“Certain members of the family have pushed that connection farther than others — Edward VIII, for example, was widely viewed as a celebrity, especially in the American press.
“Arguably, Princess Margaret also pushed that line, but the royal family exercised more control over how the media portrayed its members in the Fifties and Sixties than it would in later decades when the tabloid press became more aggressive in documenting the behaviour of royals.