'EVERYONE IN THE WORLD IS ROOTING FOR HER' PRINCESS KATE WHY THE ROYAL FAMILY HAVE NEVER NEEDED HER MORE

She may be recovering behind closed doors, but to her adoring public, the Princess of Wales is as visible as ever. 

- ALISON EASTWOOD, CHRIS DANIELS

Recently recognized by King Charles with a brand-new title, Kate also now ranks as Britain's most popular royal - just above her husband, Prince William (in Canada, polls suggest the couple are tied for first place).

Three-quarters of Britons (76 per cent) told YouGov in a new survey that they have a "positive view" of the Princess of Wales - up six points since the start of 2024. Market-research firm Savanta, which conducted a separate poll for Britain's Independent newspaper, observed that Kate "enjoys a level of support that any politician would be jealous of," noting that the Royal Family are retaining, even gaining in popularity during one of the most turbulent and difficult periods in recent years.

This doesn't come as a surprise to royal biographer Christopher Andersen. "People were shocked and saddened by the announcement of Kate's cancer diagnosis and also immensely impressed by the grace with which she seems to be handling the toughest of situations," says Christopher, author of Brothers and Wives and The King: The Life of Charles III.

But despite the return of King Charles, 75, who is undertaking public engagements during his own cancer treatment, and the Prince of Wales, 41 - who says his wife is "doing very well" - Kate's presence is sorely missed, especially in the context of Charles's "slimmed-down" monarchy.