Princess Kate dethroned as Britain’s favourite royal

Kate Middleton has spent over a decade winning the hearts of the British public. 

Since her 2011 marriage to Prince William, she’s been celebrated for her warmth, grace, and uncanny ability to connect with people, often drawing comparisons to the late Princess Diana. 

For years, she reigned supreme in royal popularity polls, with William usually close behind.

But for the first time in years, the tables have turned. A new poll shows Prince William has edged past his wife to become the UK’s most liked royal, securing an impressive 74% approval rating from the public.

The survey also brought encouraging news for the monarchy as a whole: 59% of respondents believe the royal family benefits Britain, 54% think they offer good value for money, and nearly half, 47%.

Prince William’s bond with the public has been decades in the making.

In his early years, it was the enduring affection for his mother, Princess Diana, that first endeared him to the nation. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, he had become an international heartthrob, his charm and good looks capturing headlines around the world.

That connection only deepened after his fairy-tale wedding to university sweetheart Kate Middleton, a moment that cemented his image as both a devoted husband and a modern royal.

But last year marked a turning point. As Princess Kate faced illness, William stepped up to shoulder more royal duties alone, revealing a more personal, vulnerable side to the future king. 

That glimpse of his resilience and humanity may well be what propelled him to overtake his wife in the latest popularity poll.