Why kate middleton is no princess diana

There's no immediate danger of Kate Middleton going off like a loose cannon, because the biggest difference with Diana is just how closely aligned Kate's every movement and utterance is with the "firm", as Diana used to call the royal family. Unlike Diana, this is a woman well-briefed, and carefully supervised. In this diamond jubilee year the Queen is reaping the enormous benefits of longevity.

Just by surviving this long, she is now revered, whatever she does and however difficult she might have been in younger days.

She is also benefitting from the amnesia that has settled upon a carefully managed nation, who have forgotten their anger at the treatment of Diana. This amnesia even extends to Camilla, who with the occasional well-planned charity appearance — and a charm offensive on the media establishment she has recently hosted dinners for the Women of the World festival — is presented as an acceptable consort for a future King.

The emphasis is on mutual acceptance and unity. These photo opportunities tell what's at stake with Kate's public profile. We are used to the monarchy being matriarchal. The symbolism the Queen carries is of "soft" power: she is the head of a family — her own and the nation. She has devoted her life to doing her duty, while keeping her opinions to herself.

She is the embodiment of tradition and continuity. These are "female" attributes, and less likely to arouse resistance than a patriarchal embodiment of royal power. However, the Queen's longevity also arouses anxiety about the future.

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Related Content. Many royal watchers have been quick to point out that Diana, Princess of Wales, was not a direct relative of the Queen and yet was known as Princess Diana.

However, this was never her official title, instead, it was a name given unofficially by members of the public because of how beloved she was. To use the Princess title officially, Diana would have been Princess Charles, taking the title from her husband. Kate, therefore, is technically a princess in this same vein through her marriage to Prince William.

All women who marry princes within the Royal Family are therefore princesses through their husbands. Kate Middleton 'there to help' Charles and Camilla says Levin. The couple had dated for several years after meeting at university. But this is not the only title she holds.

In spite of her stature and position, Kate is still not known as Princess Kate.