“They’re not competitive,” says a source. “Well, they are when it comes to sports, in a bantering sort of way. But they’re not jealous. On away days, they have a better time together than when they’re on their own – they’re hanging out in the car between engagements, having fun.”
On their 14th wedding anniversary in Mull, Scotland, during one of those strange royal engagements they are often tasked with, the Prince and Princess were handed a nail gun to try some carpentry. Banjo Beale, their celebrity host, noticed Catherine’s competence and asked William: “What can’t she do?” The Prince replied ruefully: “That always happens.”
They are now joint patrons of the Royal Marsden hospital, where William used to be president and Catherine received her cancer treatment. Their visits are “full of warmth”, says Dame Cally Palmer, the chief executive of the hospital. “Personal touches such as sending narcissi daffodils to our hospitals, alongside a heartfelt message, mean a great deal to both patients and staff.”
The Prince of Wales has taken on several high-pressure diplomatic trips, including to see Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Saudi Arabia, and a role meeting with President Trump in Paris and Windsor. He has spent time with Britain’s security services, the Prime Minister, the new Archbishop of Canterbury and the military.
Those around him speak of a growing confidence on the world stage, and a willingness both to listen to and to challenge those in power. While his language skills do not yet match those of his father – whose aptitude and accent in German, Italian and pidgin has charmed nations – he does have a Duolingo account.
Now, says a Palace source, the public can see the balance of down-to-earth people who are “extremely comfortable in their own skin” and the leaders they will one day be.
“He’s still the guy you’d pick to go for a beer with,” the source continues, “but now he has that gravitas too. He’s comfortable on diplomatic duty hosting Donald Trump, and at a Wetherspoons in Birmingham.” (Both are things the Prince has done in the past year, along with riding an electric scooter around Windsor Castle, should proof be needed.)
Another adds that Catherine is the “school mum you’d call to scoop your children up when you’re running late”.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.telegraph.co.uk ’
