Recently, the media latched onto a new narrative: Kate Middleton is “struggling” after her cancer treatment. Reports claim that although her cancer is in remission, she still suffers emotionally and physically, tires easily, and finds it difficult to readjust to royal life.

“Behind closed doors, she’s still struggling emotionally and tires a lot more easily; it’s taking longer to readjust to royal life after her cancer treatment. She’s still not back to where she was before her diagnosis, and she’s not sure she ever will be, which is why she’s told William she needs a decent break before term starts in September. She’s unofficially stepped back from royal duties this summer – and of course, William is wholly supportive.” — RadarOnline

This should not surprise anyone. Back in September 2024, the Palace released a glossy video where Kate declared she had finished chemotherapy. One of her key messages was that she would not return to working full-time, at least not as before. She openly admitted she had to take things slowly. That video prepared the public for exactly what we see now: Kate doing very few engagements.

Why Critics Question Kate’s Workload

The criticism grows louder from media outlets who are generally favourable towards Kate. However, now they are even asking why she doesn’t work as much as older royals such as Princess Anne or even her father-in-law, King Charles? Both carry out far more engagements, despite Charles undergoing cancer treatment in his seventies. He is not cancer-free, yet his workload puts the Princess of Wales to shame.

This raises a key question: what exactly counts as a royal “engagement”? At its core, it is not back-breaking labor. It means ribbon cuttings, meet-and-greets, hospital visits, school openings, charity photo ops, or christening a warship. These symbolic appearances define royal visibility.

Here lies the contradiction: if Kate can take multiple vacations to Mustique, the French Alps, and Greece, why is she too fragile for routine appearances?

The “Lazy Royal” Label for Kate Middleton
A collage of media headlines calling Kate Middleton and Prince William “lazy” and “workshy,” highlighting criticism over their poor engagement record and lack of royal duties across different years.

Kate being called lazy is nothing new. From the moment she married into the royal family, the label stuck. The late Queen Elizabeth II reportedly remarked on her reluctance to work, and the press branded her “Duchess Do-Little.” More than a decade later, nothing has changed. She never increased her workload, and the institution never forced her to. Which raises the real question: was Kate ever expected to work much at all?

What Diana’s Shadow Taught William About Choosing a Wife

The truth goes deeper than health. Royal history shows how visibility shapes power. Charles and Diana clashed because Diana outshone him. She drew all the attention, nationally and internationally. Charles, as heir, could not stand being eclipsed. It caused a permanent rupture in their marriage, along with his affair with Camilla Parker-Bowles.

After Diana’s death, Charles married Camilla, a woman who never rivaled him for public adoration and never threatened his spotlight.

Embed from Getty Images

Critics argue that William learned from his father’s mistakes, choosing a wife unlikely to eclipse him in the spotlight. By marrying Kate, a woman with no career, pedigree, or public profile, he ensured he would never be overshadowed. Kate’s silence, “restraint,” and lack of independent shine made her the perfect “consort in waiting.” She steps out when required, plays the part dutifully, but never dominates the stage. That is why she has never carried a heavy workload, and never will.

Unlike Queen Elizabeth, who carried out engagements while battling cancer, or King Charles, who continues working through treatment, as well as millions of ordinary people who must work while ill, Kate’s cancer story is already being positioned as a convenient excuse for doing less. The public is expected to accept this contradiction without question

Why Meghan Was Rejected While Kate Is Restricted

This history explains why Meghan Sussex faced such fierce rejection. Meghan, by virtue of her career, charisma, race, and presence, naturally drew attention away from the institution’s chosen heirs. She could not play mute, and she refused to dim her light. The imbalance was impossible to contain, and the only solution was for Meghan and Harry to leave altogether.

Now in 2025, the contradiction continues. William and Kate are moving into yet another home, Forest Lodge, under the guise of ‘privacy‘ while also doing less work. The reality seems clear: Kate continues to function as a part-time royal, with her appearances concentrated on key ceremonial occasions rather than day-to-day duties. The Palace wants her visible enough to uphold the “perfect royal family” image, but never so prominent that she threatens William’s position.

Popularity Without the Work

And yet, despite her limited role and years of being branded “lazy,” Kate Middleton tops the YouGov polls as the most popular royal in 2025. She holds a 74% favorability rating, higher even than Princess Anne, the hardest-working royal. How does Kate remain so ‘admired‘ when she does the least work and is barely visible?

If YouGov is to be believed, her popularity comes not from effort or achievement but from carefully curated image-making. The Palace restricts her visibility to ensure she never outshines William, but simultaneously presents her as the perfect consort, graceful, silent, and photogenic.

It is the core contradiction of the monarchy. Kate must be admired, but not too admired; present, but not too present. In the end, her role is not to lead, innovate, or outshine. It is to reinforce the heir and remind the public of the hierarchy.

This Telegraph tweet shows how media props up Kate as the “true British princess” while dismissing Meghan — reinforcing that Kate’s popularity is manufactured, not earned through actual work.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to Meghan Sussex and Kate Middleton, their roles could not be more different. Kate was always meant to be the “acceptable wife,” seen but not heard. Nearly twenty years into royal life, Kate’s public speaking still falters with the articulation of a schoolgirl. With all the Palace’s resources—and William serving as BAFTA’s president—one would think she’d have received proper coaching by now.

However, she was never chosen for her charisma or intellect but for her ability to play the part: a compliant, photogenic partner who would never overshadow the heir.

This is where Kate becomes a weapon. She is presented as the “fair English rose,” the stepford wife who does little but whose mere presence is used to counter Meghan. William does not want Kate to shine too brightly, but he needs her elevated whenever Meghan gains traction. That is why we have seen Kate echo Meghan’s style, mimic her cadence, and rush out announcements to compete with Meghan’s projects. It is a deliberate tactic to remind the public that William is heir, and by extension, his wife must always be portrayed as superior, no matter how little she actually does.

For William and Kate, hierarchy rules. In this worldview, only the heir and his consort matter, and everyone else must dim their light. With Love, Meghan, releasing on August 26, it would not be surprising if Kate Middleton makes an appearance soon after. Whenever Meghan dominates the news cycle, Kate, as William’s wife, must also take some of the spotlight — even if it requires no effort on her part — simply because hierarchy dictates it.

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