Princess Kate Calmly Carries On

IN THE FACE OF INCREASING PRESSURE, THE PRINCESS OF WALES RELIES ON THOSE CLOSEST TO HER-AND HER OWN RESOLVE

- SIMON PERRY

As Princess Kate confidently led her husband, Prince William, and their children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5, into Westminster Abbey on Dec. 8 for her third annual Christmas carol concert, it was her time to shine. Already seated in the abbey were her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, sister Pippa, and extended members of the royal family, who all showed their support for the Princess of Wales on her big night. The absence of King Charles, 75, and Queen Camilla, 76, signaled that this was Kate's crowning moment as she and William, both 41, were the most senior royals in attendance. "She is carving out a special place for herself, which is celebratory," says royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith. But the festive event came amid a wave of controversy. Just days prior, the publication of Omid Scobie's new book Endgame described Kate as "cold" and unwelcoming to royal newbie Meghan Markle, and in a Dutch translation of the book Kate was named alongside Charles as the royals who allegedly took part in conversations about the skin color of Prince Harry and Meghan's son Prince Archie before he was born. (Buckingham Palace says aides are "exploring all options," including legal, following the publishing error that led to the names being included.) But on this night, just as they had on an earlier outing when they ignored questions about the book from reporters, Kate and William kept looking forward. "It is why a lot of people who have worked with her think she is such an asset to the royal family because she has this amazing professionalism," says royal author Valentine Low.