Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
Prince William and Princess Kate have been praised for embracing a “new approach” to royal duties, as they hosted an emotional engagement at Windsor Castle this week.
Experts say this new direction is helping to bridge the gap between the Royal Family and the public, and represents a significant shift from traditional royal behaviour.
During the event, Princess Kate hugged 16-year-old Liz Hatton, a young photographer battling an aggressive form of cancer.
Liz had been invited by the Prince and Princess of Wales to photograph the day’s investiture at Windsor Castle.
In a touching moment, Princess Kate and Liz bonded over their shared battles with cancer, with her expressing deep empathy as they spoke.
Royal Biographer Ian Lloyd commended the William and Kate for what he described as their “new and modern approach” to royal duties.
He told GB News: “It’s indicative of a new approach to the monarchy. In previous generations, it was them and us. And now, particularly in this case of cancer, it’s all together.”
Lloyd pointed out how different Princess Kate’s approach is from that of Queen Elizabeth II, who maintained a more reserved demeanour throughout her reign.
He said: “The late Queen would never have hugged someone who was ill; it was simply not how things were done.”
But for Princess Kate, the meeting was “a bonding of equal minds”, a display of warmth and vulnerability that resonated deeply with Liz and her family.
“It’s a really intimate moment,” GB News presenter Martin Daubney said, “a moment that anyone who’s been touched by cancer can see the warmth radiating out of.”
He added Princess Kate’s embrace was about connecting her personal experiences to the broader human condition.
“She’s saying, ‘I’m one of you. I’m not afraid.'”
Liz later said Kate and William were “such lovely, genuine people” and that she was “over the moon” about the experience.
The Prince of Wales also showed his modern approach to royal life this week, attending Villa Park in Birmingham to watch his beloved Aston Villa beat Bayern Munich in the Champions League – a move praised by Lloyd for its reliability.
“It’s in the tradition of the late Queen and her love for horse racing,” Lloyd explained.
“It’s something that matters deeply to him, and to most people, football is a leading sport.
“It’s a way of uniting people, and he’s doing what many people do, watching it on TV or in person. It’s about bonding the monarchy with the public.”