Princess Kate’s transformation from girl next door to future queen has been praised by fans online as the royal continues her absence from public life while undergoing treatment for cancer.
Kate married Prince William in 2011, having met during their time studying at University of St. Andrews in Scotland 10 years earlier. The princess has risen through the ranks of the monarchy, and today, she is its most-senior female figure behind Queen Camilla.
Polling conducted by YouGov in Britain last month saw Kate top the chart of most-popular royals, being viewed positively by 74 percent of the nation.
The princess has not attended a public event since Christmas Day in 2023. She stepped out of the public eye to undergo abdominal surgery and has not returned since she said in March that she is receiving a course of preventive chemotherapy following a cancer diagnosis.
Princess Kate smiles while attending the Royal Variety Performance in London, November 30, 2023. Footage of the royal has been praised by fans online. Princess Kate smiles while attending the Royal Variety Performance in London, November 30, 2023. Footage of the royal has been praised by fans online. Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images
In Kate’s absence at high-profile engagements while she receives treatment and focuses on her health, fans have taken to social media to share posts of support, as well as to highlight moments from favorite past appearances of hers.
Uploaded to TikTok by user @liarsvr on May 9, a post has gone viral, charting Kate’s royal transformation by comparing images from her childhood to her role as a queen in waiting. It has been viewed over 1 million times on the social-media site so far.
Underscored by the 2024 song “Too Sweet” by Hozier, which has featured in a number of viral trends, the clip includes photos from Kate’s school days alongside footage from events such as a glamorous red-carpet appearance made with Prince William in 2022.
The couple attended a special charity screening of the movie Top Gun: Maverick in London, where they met with Hollywood stars such as the franchise’s lead, Tom Cruise.
The 61-year-old actor made headlines when he was photographed offering Kate his hand as she climbed a flight of stairs wearing a figure-hugging black-and-white gown by the designer Roland Mouret.
Another clip included was taken in November 2023 and shows Kate with William attending the Royal Variety Performance in London. The event raises money each year for an entertainment-industry charity.
William and Kate were accompanied for the evening by Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and her husband, Prince Daniel. The couple were in Britain as part of a multiday visit where they were photographed with William and Kate at Windsor Castle in Berkshire.
The TikTok video has received in excess of 160,000 likes and over 270 comments, many of which have praised Kate and her transition into the monarchy. “What a glow up,” wrote one user.
“Her transformation has been peak elegance and glamour,” posted another, with a further comment reading: “She would be a supermodel if she wasn’t royal.”
Interest in Kate’s early life story spiked in 2022 as her meeting and early relationship with William were dramatized in the final season of Netflix’s hit royal drama, The Crown.
Starring actress Meg Bellamy, Kate’s storyline included a recreation of her famous student fashion-show modeling experience, which is reported to have been one of the milestones of her relationship with the prince.
James Crawford-Smith is Newsweek‘s royal reporter, based in London. You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @jrcrawfordsmith and read his stories on Newsweek‘s The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, Prince William and Princess Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We’d love to hear from you.
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