Princess Kate 'icing on the cake' in King Charles plan as hidden royals step up
While King Charles and Emmanuel Macron were the stars of the recent French state visit, the work of three major royals also played an important role in representing the Firm.
Princess Kate, Princess Anne, and Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester all stepped up during the three-day affair, with the hard-working royal women all playing a key part of two major events.
While Princess Kate made headlines for her stunning red ensemble, Princess Anne and the Duchess of Gloucester also received their own recognition for their glamorous looks at both Tuesday night's state banquet, and Wednesday night's banquet on the second day of the President's visit.
Many were quick to comment on Princess Anne's new hairstyle, as royal commentators pointed out that she had been sporting the same up-do for decades, while the Duchess of Gloucester was named the best dressed during a banquet at Guildhall on Wednesday evening, which was hosted by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation.
With another major state visit just around the corner, with plans for US president Donald Trump to visit the UK in September, royal expert Jennie Bond has outlined how all three women, particularly Kate, will be instrumental for the upcoming visit.
The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror that the Princess of Wales will have an important role when Trump arrives on UK shores, explaining: "Catherine will be the icing on the cake for a man as vain as Donald Trump. To be seen with her will be gold dust in his eyes. And I'm sure she will be there to massage his ego in the most diplomatic, subtle and regal way."
Jennie also said that Birgitte, Duchess of Gloucester, and Princess Anne will play key roles during the US state visit, saying: "I'm sure that Birgitte will be on hand again when President Trump comes to the UK. After so many years in the Royal Family, she is well versed in the niceties of a State Visit."
"And the Princess Royal will also have a key role, as always. She really is the King's right hand woman; his confidante, his wingwoman."
When asked how Princess Anne and the Duchess of Gloucester would feel about the numerous headlines about their looks during the French state visit, Jennie Bond shared that both are "hard working, no-glory seeking women of the Royal Family", who would be more dedicated to their royal work than fixating on their appearances.
Bond said: "Neither, I think, would care one fig about what anyone said about their looks. They dress appropriately for the business of the occasion. Neither seeks to be the centre of the attention, even though they often are. They want the focus to be on the business or cause or campaign in hand. And both have one aim: to support the institution of monarchy."
"Anne and Birgitte are stalwarts on the royal treadmill. They work hard, ask for no recognition, almost shun publicity…and just get on with the job. The Royal Family has slimmed down drastically through a combination of circumstances— and so these two more than pull their weight each week. Quietly and in a business-like way. And that is a huge help for the King."
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