Should Kate Middleton be compared to Princess Diana?

As the new Princess of Wales, Prince William’s wife, Catherine Middleton, is inevitably being compared to the late Princess Diana. The new debate is whether Kate will be able to continue Diana’s immortal legacy that still rules the hearts of people today.

Kensington Palace is where Diana continued to live after her separation from the new King Charles III in 1992. According to the AFP news agency, outside Kensington Palace in London, people expressed their views about the difficult task faced by Kate.

Keith Lowing, 73, said: ‘Diana will never be forgotten. But I’m sure Kate will live up to Diana’s legacy and be a wonderful tribute to Diana.’

Lowing, who lives in retirement, and his wife Kathleen sat on a bench in the palace garden where Diana and King Charles’ sons William and Harry unveiled a statue of Diana last year.

Britain has entered a new era after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who held the crown for 70 years. But Charles’ becoming king has also brought with it another symbolic change – the first Princess of Wales since Diana’s death 25 years ago.

Before Diana, Mary of Teck was Princess of Wales. She held the title from 1901 to 1910, when her husband George V became King of Great Britain.

Helping the underprivileged

The title Prince of Wales is conferred by the King or Queen of Great Britain on their eldest surviving son. Charles was made Prince of Wales in 1958 at the age of nine. He gave the title to his 40-year-old son William on his first day as king. The wife of the Prince of Wales becomes the Princess of Wales.

Prince Charles said on Friday: ‘I know that our new Prince and Princess of Wales will continue to encourage and lead our national dialogue and help put disadvantaged people at the center of where they can get the support they need.’

After marrying Charles in 2005, his second wife Camilla was allowed to adopt the style of Princess of Wales. But they didn’t because the title was too strongly associated with Diana.

Diana publicly accused Camilla of being a third person in her married life with Charles. Kamilla used her husband’s second title and became Duchess of Cornwall.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told The Guardian newspaper that ‘comparisons with Diana won’t be a problem because Kate is not Camilla and things have moved on.’

Competing for respect

Diana is revered in Britain and around the world. Diana’s tragic death in a car crash in Paris on August 31, 1997, at the age of 36, froze her in a place in time and became an almost saintly figure for many.

Outside Kensington Palace, 21-year-old Spanish tourist Maria Argon said: ‘Diana was a very important princess and people loved her very much. They don’t represent the crown as much as people do.’

Near the new statue of Diana, 74-year-old American tourist Rebecca Brunswig recalled Princess Diana’s many humanitarian trips, her association with people living with AIDS and her compassion for the underprivileged. .

Even before Catherine married William in 2011, questions were raised about whether she could be compared to Diana, whose engagement ring she wore.

Since joining the royal family, Kate has maintained a stylish and well-presented image of the family. While raising Prince George, Louis and Princess Charlotte, she was careful in her choice of charitable engagements.

Fitzwilliam says: ‘Kate is becoming increasingly practical and has shown a particular interest in early years situations. So I think she would want to show her heritage that she has done something different.’

But palace sources played down comparisons with Diana. A source told reporters: ‘The new Princess of Wales respects the history associated with the position. But while making a way for herself, she would like to look to the future with understanding.’

Speaking outside Kensington Palace, lawyer Selma White, 40, said Catherine was dignified and beautiful and represented the royal family. He said: ‘I love Diana. I love Kate too but I don’t think you can compare them. People shouldn’t do that. They have to give Kate a chance to be Kate.’

popularity

Earlier this year, a survey by market research and data analytics firm YouGoo named Kate as the most popular member of the royal family with a 60 percent approval rating. She was ranked second only to the Queen, who had a popularity rating of 75 percent. Experts believe she may now be as popular a figure in the royal family as Diana once was.

Royal historian Ed Owens told Channel 4 television: ‘Obviously the focus is on William and Catherine. Working alongside our new King and Queen as the Prince and Princess of Wales.’

Robert Hazell, a constitutional expert at University College London, said Kate would reflect well on William as Prince of Wales in a private capacity and as the ‘sole’ heir to the throne.

He further said that the ‘relatively young royal couple’ is the reason for maintaining the popularity of the royal family among the younger members of the public.