Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William have been married since 2011. The couple are both full-time members of the Royal Family which means they often carry out royal duties. 

Instead, the Duchess of Cambridge could have looked to Princess Diana for inspiration on how to perform her role.

Speaking in Amazon Prime documentary, Royalty Close Up: The Photography of Kent Gavin, journalist Anne Robinson said: “Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, it seems hard to call her that — but she has a legacy from Diana in that her touch is much softer.

“She engages with the public in a way that the Queen has never intended to and never wanted to, she’s always kept her mystery and her distance.”

Over the years, the Queen has attended countless official events and met with many members of the public.

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When doing this, however, the expert explained that she will usually keep her distance.

On the other hand, Princess Diana was known for being the “People’s Princess” and the expert explained she ditched formalities to engage with the public.

This warm approach is something the Duchess of Cambridge has copied in her royal role.

After sharing pictures on Instagram from a recent visit to Port Talbot, Wales, fans were quick to comment on Kate’s friendly interactions with the public.

Body language expert Judi James told Express.co.uk: “The body language signals between the Queen and Kate currently suggest a very relaxed, warm and relatively easy-going friendship with both women enjoying the other’s company.

“While the Queen always appears to affirm the fact that, despite her age, she is not in any need of support or aid, she often looks happiest when her granddaughter-in-law and future queen accompanies her or acts as co-host.

“Kate seems very adept at keeping a quiet eye on the Queen but without fussing.”

How did Kate Middleton become a royal?

Early life

Kate Middleton, or Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was born on 9 January 1982 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, England.

She was born to Michael and Carole Middleton, a former flight dispatcher and air hostess. The couple founded a party supplies company, Party Pieces, in 1987 – now estimated to be worth £30 million.

Kate has a younger sister Pippa Matthews, 34, and a younger brother James Middleton, 31.

Education

Kate and her family moved to Amman, Jordan, in 1984, where the future Duchess was educated at an English-speaking nursery school.

After moving back to Berkshire the family sent Kate to private school, St Andrews School. She went on to briefly study at Downe House before moving onto Marlborough College where she boarded.

For university the young Kate attended the University of St Andrews in Fife, Scotland. Here she was awarded an undergraduate MA (2:1 Hons) in history of art.

Relationship with Prince William

Kate met Prince William when they were both studying at St Andrews, and both living in St Salvator’s Hall. Famously, William reportedly took a fancy to Kate after she wore a see-through dress during a fashion show.

In 2003 the couple began dating and lived together during their second year of university.

The couple split in April 2007, however, in October they were back together.

Wedding

Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with his late mother Princess Diana’s engagement ring in October 2010. The couple were holidaying in Kenya at the time.

On 29 April 2011 they married at Westminster Abbey with a whopping 26 million watching the event live.

Kate wore an Alexander McQueen dress worth a reported £250,000 on the big day.

Kate assumed the title “Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge” and also become the Duchess of Cambridge on the day.