Kate Middleton‘s unexpected medical leave has left the royal family with a big dilemma on how to proceed when their biggest star has been benched. It doesn’t help that King Charles III is also dealing with his own medical issues, and his “slimmed-down monarchy” plan is failing. Despite all of the rumors about the Princess of Wales’ whereabouts, there is one belief that continues to shine through — without Kate, the royal family isn’t as interesting.
Even the most dedicated royalists are noting how her absence is affecting the palace’s goodwill and PR. “She is their MVP, without any doubt,” royal historian Amanda Foreman told People. “She is in so many ways the most like the late Queen.” Queen Elizabeth II had the respect of even the royal family’s harshest critics — she worked hard to represent her country. Since her passing in 2022, it’s been one controversy after another, and Charles has yet to get a firm grip on his role as a leader.
That’s why royal author Sally Bedell Smith thinks that Kate is “so central to the monarchy and the future.” Without her, there isn’t much star wattage in the family after the exit of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. In modern times, the royal family needs more than one person in a senior role to shine brightly. So far, Prince William has not stepped up to the plate, and Queen Camilla is still a divisive personality decades after her affair with Charles.
“Everybody feels unsettled by uncertainty, and there is too much uncertainty that is surrounding the monarchy right now,” Bedell Smith noted. “Queen Elizabeth used to say, ‘I need to be seen to be believed.’ It is important for Charles and his reign for the public to know a little bit more.” By shielding the public from even the most basic of information (medical privacy is still important here), the royal family has created a tsunami of rumors and conspiracy theories.
Prince William’s spokesperson telling People that the royal’s “focus is on his work and not on social media” is not going to cut it at this point. A grainy snapshot of Kate driving around Windsor is also an amateur move. It’s time for the royal family to step up and figure out a plan for longevity and survival because this crisis has proven that Kate is their only superstar.
Before you go, click here to see more looks Kate Middleton has worn before.
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