Praise as birthday girl Kate’s role improves

The Duchess of Cambridge has grown into her position in the Royal Family – and will be even more visible in 2014.

Nobody should be surprised to see the “shy newcomer” taking an even more prominent royal role in 2014. Birthday girl Kate, who celebrated turning 32 on Thursday, January 9, has taken to her new life with ease.

Husband William, of course, should be an expert, having grown up in the world’s most famous family, but is happy to consult his sensible wife for guidance.

Buckingham Palace insiders report that Kate is more than capable of juggling motherhood, making speeches, hosting functions and still managing to look effortlessly glamorous.

Those of us old enough to remember the late Princess Diana, watched in fascination as she evolved from shy kindergarten helper to a stylish fashion icon copied by females everywhere.

It looks as though Kate will have a similar mass popularity, and will no doubt also follow in Diana’s footsteps by raising awareness of a range of deserving causes.

The Union Jack clothes she bought for little Prince George’s Christmas were a Diana-style tongue-in-cheek decision and many say Kate really does have similarities to the mother-in-law she never met.

She’s already admired and is becoming more comfortable by the day with royal life. This month, the royals will mostly ease themselves into the New Year with very few appointments, although the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow will be at the forefront of several people’s attention.

Princess Anne, however, has a different function booked for almost each day, busy lady that she is, and it’s said the Duchess of Cambridge is looking at the workrate of her husband’s aunt as a guide as to what can be achieved.

Obviously, the small matter of raising a future King and looking after another is Kate’s priority in the immediate future. But this very capable young lady is being tipped to eventually take on several prominent roles.

One event she’s desperate for is the couple’s landmark visit to Australia and New Zealand in April. And just as Diana insisted on taking nine-month-old William Down Under in the early 1980s, so Kate is adamant little George will be with them on the tour.

She has already booked the same hairdresser Diana used then, although William jokes that he barely needs a hairdresser himself these days! The family are already being tipped to embark second major foreign tour.

Most telling, however, are the strong rumours from reliable quarters that Kate will tackle an assignment she wouldn’t have dreamed of just a year back. The suggestion is that she’ll head overseas on royal duties without her husband by her side.

If anyone needed convincing that Kate is the perfect partner for a future monarch, her confidence to take on the responsibility of such a solo project would surely provide it.