The Royal Family is in 'Turbulent Waters' — but One Figure Is Keeping It Afloat, Says PR Expert
One senior figure has been showing up consistently — and experts say it is working.
The Royal Family has had better seasons. With scrutiny over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor showing no signs of easing and government ministers declining to rule out further action over his place in the line of succession, the institution is navigating a new territory it would rather not be in. But amid the noise, one figure keeps showing up, consistent, and doing more for the monarchy's public image than perhaps any blood royal.
You guessed it! That figure is Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales. PR expert Lynn Carratt of E20 Communications, speaking to GB News, pointed to the string of recent public appearances that have significantly bolstered the Royal Family's image at a time when it needed it most. "Catherine's recent appearances, stepping out in striking, elegant ensembles, serve as a reminder of the monarchy's enduring soft power," Carratt said.
The most recent came on March 12, when Middleton and Prince William visited the RNLI Tower Lifeboat Station together and heard firsthand about the work of staff and volunteers saving lives on the River Thames. Three days earlier, the couple had joined the King, Queen, and Princess Anne at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey — one of the most significant fixtures in the royal calendar.
Middleton arrived in a Catherine Walker dress coat, drawing attention as she always does, while the King's message to the 1,800 assembled guests underscored the gravity of the occasion. Before that, the pair attended the BAFTAs at the Royal Festival Hall on February 22, with William present in his capacity as President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. The day prior, Middleton had been at Twickenham for the England versus Ireland rugby international, attending in her role as patron of the Rugby Football Union.
Carratt was clear that what Middleton brings to the public square goes well beyond the clothes she wears. "Glamor aside, her influence goes deeper: she embodies empathy, stability, and relatability, all of which resonate with the public at a time when royal scrutiny is intense," she explained. "While it's dramatic to call her 'the savior' of the monarchy, she is undeniably a figure who strengthens its public image. Every poised smile, every empathetic gesture, reinforces continuity and trust. In a season of uncertainty, Catherine offers a reassuring blend of tradition and modernity, a steady hand for a family navigating turbulent waters."
That scrutiny, of course, has a specific source. The Royal Family continues to face sustained attention over Mountbatten-Windsor, whose position in the line of succession remains unchanged on the royal website despite the ongoing investigation into his past. It is against that backdrop that Middleton's visibility has taken on an added significance.
And there is more to come. As Colonel of the Irish Guards since December 2022, Middleton is expected to present the traditional sprigs of shamrock to officers and guardsmen at Wellington Barracks for St Patrick's Day. Beyond that, the Prince and Princess of Wales will play a prominent role during the Nigerian State Visit to the UK, greeting the President and First Lady at their hotel on March 18.
