During a visit to Kenya last October, Prince Charles referred to Princess Kate as his "beloved daughter-in-law" and spoke of when Prince William proposed to her in 2010. Now an active royal for nearly 13 years and arguably the most popular active royal, Kate is not only family to Charles, but an asset to his work as monarch. Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith told People that both William and Kate have "incredibly enhanced" the work of Charles and Queen Camilla, and the magazine noted in particular that Charles and Kate are "quite close" and that Kate is "in some ways closer to him than William."

The magazine reported.

Over the years, they continued, William's bond with Prince Harry's father has been somewhat "strained," and "it is only recently that William has approached [Charles], with Kate serving as his faithful intermediary."

Despite Kate's affable personality, those within the royal family and those who know the royal family intimately note her steel-like strength: "She has a public image of being kind, smiling, and dare I say innocent," said royal writer Valentine Lowe. Royal writer Valentine Lowe says: "She has a public image of being kind, smiling, and dare I say innocent, but in reality she is strong-minded, strong-willed, and ready to fight for what she wants and what she thinks is right."

A former staff member who works with her husband told People, "She gives William direction. She guides the family and she guides him." Bedell Smith said that William and Kate "are pursuing initiatives that are important to them. They are not trying to supplant the King and Camilla. And she seems to be thinking long-term: "Kate is thinking strategically. She intends to be queen someday and has the long-term interests of the monarchy and the royal family in mind." After all, in addition to her husband one day becoming king, her son Prince George will also one day reign.

At the end of 2023, despite enough controversy for both Charles and Kate, such as in Omid Scobie's bombastic book Endgame, Kate will celebrate her 42nd birthday next week as a fresh start. As for her feud with Harry, "She's moving on, and so is William," a friend of Kate's told People. 'She's very focused on what's important going forward. They're not looking back."

One aspect that seems to be consistent as 2024 comes into view is Kate's importance to the royal family, according to former Buckingham Palace communications chief and BBC podcast "When It Hits the Fan" co-host Simon Lewis said.

"She is very much seen as the player at the heart of Team Windsor," he said.