Kate Middleton has recently been the subject of various comparisons regarding her public handling in different aspects.
Author Edward White’s new book, “Dianaworld: An Obsession,” explores the similarities and differences between Kate Middleton and her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana.
Speaking with Fox News Digital, White discussed what he termed the “Diana Effect,” stating, “Kate Middleton is much more reminiscent of the older generation of royal figures in the way that she comports herself.”
This is partly because “she was almost 30 when she married William, and that was deliberate from both sides,” suggesting that “the big lesson that she probably learned from Diana’s life is don’t rush into becoming a royal.”
In contrast, White feels, “Diana’s life is more reminiscent to me of a pop star’s life. She didn’t know what she was getting herself into. She was so young and very, very sheltered when she entered the royal family.”
He recounted someone telling Princess Diana, “‘If you don’t know who you are before you’re famous, then fame is the thing that you become. It is the thing that will define who you are.’ I think that’s what happened to Diana, at least for many years.”
Another significant difference, according to White, was that “Diana dealt with the press scrutiny in the way that she felt that she could, and in the way that she felt she had to.” He added, “I don’t think anybody was advising her to behave the way that she did with them. It’s an invidious position to be in.”
However, “Kate Middleton handles the press scrutiny really well, but she… had to switch herself off and only focus on duty.” In her own words, “The best way of dealing with the scrutiny is by giving [the press] nothing.”
“By stepping through the hoops of shaking hands, cutting ribbons and smiling, being dutiful and not being too big for your boots. Those are all the things that the monarchy is built on,” he concluded regarding the comparison.
