KATE TAKES THE LEAD

HER QUIET STRENGTH HAS TRANSFORMED THE PRINCESS INTO A POWERFUL FORCE

- Kylie Walters

Resplendent in a sparkling blue gown from Jenny Packham, the Princess of Wales was the centre of attention as she made her grand entrance into the state banquet to welcome the German president at Windsor Castle on December 3. But it was her tiara that really stole the show.

The princess, 43, made her public debut wearing Queen Victoria's Oriental Circlet Tiara. Not seen in the past two decades, the stunning headpiece features more than 1000 diamonds and rubies. It has previously been worn by a succession of queens but never by someone of lower rank. However, the bold choice is only to be expected from Kate, who is emerging as the real power within the palace.

While “the rock” is an overused term when it comes to describing reliable members of the royal family, Robert Jobson believes it is apt to call Kate “the glue”.

"Kate is very popular, a good mother and she looks great doing the job," the biographer behind The Windsor Legacy tells WHO from London. "But, behind the scenes, I think she is very different from how people imagine. She is a lot more involved. She is the one holding everything from the family to the work together."