The new model of Catherine at Madame Tussauds is good and that's before we get to the replica royal jewels

Waxworks are notoriously difficult to get right, even when the subjects are some of the most famous people in the world – royalty. Madame Tussauds has just revealed its latest model of the Princess of Wales and it’s really rather good. In fact, the quartet of royals that now make up the glittering Buckingham Palace display at the London museum are all rather impressive and, as so often happens with the House of Windsor, it’s the women taking the lead.

In a dynasty dominated by a form of female leadership that’s helped redefine the very concept of modern monarchy, it’s perhaps only right that the best likenesses in this royal show belong to the two women at its heart. The updated model of the Princess of Wales is a striking recreation of Catherine, with its strongest likeness to her from the side, and it seems to have captured the calm confidence that has only seemed to grow since her return to public life after cancer treatment.

There’s also a sparkling new wardrobe for the waxwork which is dressed in a replica of the sequinned Jenny Packham gown worn by the Princess of Wales to the Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in 2023. Added to the waxwork is a recreation of the Queen Mary Lover’s Knot Tiara which is among Catherine’s favourite jewels and which was also worn frequently by Diana, Princess of Wales.

Catherine now stands next to Queen Camilla in the Royal Palace experience at Madame Tussauds. The Queen’s waxwork wears a replica of the outfit that she chose for the first Diplomatic Reception of Charles III’s reign, in 2022. The gown is a recreation by Anna Valentine of the midnight blue outfit worn by Queen Camilla that night. There’s also a replica of the sapphire gems Her Majesty used. It’s really rather like The Queen with, again, a significant likeness from the side. And it the imagined tiara is perhaps a little too heavy on fake diamonds to be a real match, the stunning recreation of her royal order makes up for that.

King Charles and Prince William are, as is so often the case for royal men, somewhat overshadowed in this model display. They’re both recognisable likenesses but the star power lies totally with the royal women in this model show.

The updated model of the Princess of Wales is now on show to visitors at the London landmark and ready for close ups with eager tourists.