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Princess Catherine amid royal drama reinvents herself with new PR guru

She was dragged into Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tawdry royal scandal. But Princess Catherine is shaking up the royals.

She played an unwilling part in Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s tawdry royal soap opera, with some of her most vulnerable moments exposed to the world.

But despite the attacks and embarrassing revelations, Princess Catherine of Wales has emerged unscathed and is proving to the Sussexes that she is made of much stronger stuff.

With the once ubiquitous Ms Markle taking a noticeable back seat amid Prince Harry’s global publicity blitz for his royal-trashing memoir Spare, the newly reinvented Catherine is seizing her moment to shine.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, is finding her own voice. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Catherine, Princess of Wales, is finding her own voice. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images

The once shy Princess, who is reportedly terrified of public speaking and has only made a handful of speeches during her royal career, is finally finding her own voice and getting out of her comfort zone.

Reeling from Prince Harry’s relentless attacks, the Palace PR machine is in overdrive, with a noticeable surge in the Princess’s public appearances — and a definite change in tone.

Following the cringe-worthy retelling of uncomfortable exchanges between Catherine and Meghan in Spare, the Princess of Wales has hired a new PR guru to beef-up her royal circle.

The former Fab Four in a strained show of “togetherness” after the death of the Queen. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The former Fab Four in a strained show of “togetherness” after the death of the Queen. Picture: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Catherine, Princess of Wales has hired a new PR guru. Picture: Daniel Leal - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Catherine, Princess of Wales has hired a new PR guru. Picture: Daniel Leal - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Described as a “ball-breaker” and a “breath of fresh air”, brand management expert Amanda Corfield has reportedly been called upon to lead the charge on the Princess’s public work.

Royal sources told The Sunday Times that Catherine was keen for a “different type of courtier”, suggesting the Princess of Wales wants to shake things up on her royal team.

Her reported mission, it seems, has kicked off with a flying start.

Exuding Hollywood-style glamour for her first appearance on the BAFTAs red carpet since 2020, Princess Catherine even gave Prince William a cheeky pat on the bottom as they glided past shocked onlookers.

The Princess of Wales has devoted her life to childhood development. Picture: Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Princess of Wales has devoted her life to childhood development. Picture: Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images

It was a move that once would have been unthinkable for the usually reserved couple.

The message is clear — the couple who will one day be king and queen following the reign of King Charles are a tight unit and a formidable duo, but they know how to have fun too.

Another recent appearance saw the famously fit Princess pulling two tyres in a Crossfit-style training exercise during a visit to a secondary school in England’s Derby.

The Princess of Wales, always up for a challenge, attempts to pull tyres behind her during a visit to Landau Forte College in Derby. Picture: Arthur Edwards/Pool/AFP
The Princess of Wales, always up for a challenge, attempts to pull tyres behind her during a visit to Landau Forte College in Derby. Picture: Arthur Edwards/Pool/AFP
Catherine has an ability to make those around her feel comfortable. Picture: Arthur Edwards/Pool/AFP
Catherine has an ability to make those around her feel comfortable. Picture: Arthur Edwards/Pool/AFP

Royal experts observed that the appearance showed Catherine’s willingness to blend in and make those around her feel comfortable.

The Princess has also been basking in the glow of a proud personal achievement with last month’s launch of her early years of childhood campaign.

It is an issue so close to the heart of the mum-of-three that the Palace has described it as something that will be a key focus for her for the rest of her life.

The Princess of Wales with Captain Preet Chandi during a visit to Landau Forte College to celebrate Ms Chandi's return from her solo expedition across Antarctica. Picture: Arthur Edwards/POOL/AFP
The Princess of Wales with Captain Preet Chandi during a visit to Landau Forte College to celebrate Ms Chandi's return from her solo expedition across Antarctica. Picture: Arthur Edwards/POOL/AFP

Ever the diplomat, Princess Catherine has a seemingly innate ability to always strike the right balance between dazzling the crowd and making sure she does not overshadow Prince William.
Royal expert Penny Junor has previously noted that the Princess learned a lesson from the amount of attention Princess Diana received during her doomed marriage to the then Prince Charles.

With King Charles’ coronation approaching on May 6, all eyes will be on the guest list and whether or not the Sussexes will appear.

Meanwhile, the world awaits the unusually quiet Ms Markle’s next move.

Originally published as Princess Catherine amid royal drama reinvents herself with new PR guru

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/entertainment/princess-catherine-amid-royal-drama-reinvents-herself-with-new-pr-guru/news-story/df1fe1be7e73c3d6416254ff51137b3e