Prince William and Kate Middleton ‘taking the lead’ in Royal Family

Prince William and Kate Middleton are ‘taking the lead’ in Royal Family and ‘acting like a bridge’ to help younger generations connect to the Queen, a royal expert has claimed.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, both 39, were joined by senior members of the Royal Family for Kate’s Christmas carol service at Westminster last week, with the Countess of Wessex and William’s cousins Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie and Princess Eugenie attending the event.

Photographs from the occasion showed the group chatting and embracing ahead of the carol service.

And royal expert Dickie Arbiter explained how the occasion showed the younger royals were stepping up, telling FEMAIL: ‘It’s the third generation taking the lead – we’re living in a time, the Cambridge’s are the bridge within the monarchy.’

Dickie explained: ‘The carol service was Kate’s idea – but it’s one way for other members of the royal family, who have all been involved in one way or another on the Covid front, to come together and say thankyou.

‘Whether through their own charities, individuals, Zoom calls with nurses or health workers etc, this was a way of the family coming together to say thanks.

‘It was very much the Duchess of Cambridge’s initiative, who works very closely together with the Duke.

‘It was almost a joint project with the Duchess taking the lead.

Dickie Arbiter told FEMAIL the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are ‘acting like a bridge’ to help younger generations connect to the Queen

‘The royal family were at the forefront of thanking people who have done exceptional work in the community.

‘We’re living in a society where a lot relies on volunteers – and during Covid- one thing the royal family can do is bring people together to say thankyou.’   

The royal expert continued to explain that the significance of the work from the Cambridges for the future of the monarchy.

He said: ‘Young people know who the queen is but they cant quite attune with someone so distant in terms of the age gap. 

‘When you have people like the Cambridges, they act as a bridge between the young people and older generation.’ 

Princess Eugenie cut a chic figure in a smart emerald green cape coat, which she paired with a black ensemble and knee-high black leather boots 

Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi (right) and Zara and Mike Tindall (left) were also in attendance at the event last week in London 

The group were also joined by the Countess of Wessex, 55, at the service, who opted for a smart white pair of trousers with a festive green blouse and maroon jacket

He went on to describe how Prince William and Kate were offering ‘a footprint for the next generation’ with their ongoing work.

Hosted and spearheaded by The Duchess, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the event paid tribute to the incredible work of individuals and organisations across the UK who have supported their communities through the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Filmed for broadcast, the service provided a moment for the nation to come together and reflect, to think not only of the extraordinary challenges that we have faced, but also to celebrate the acts of kindness that we have witnessed across our nation, the communities pulling together to protect and care for those in need, and those who have stepped up to help others.

It combined traditional elements with a modern and inclusive feel to encompass people of all faiths and none, the service featured carols sung by the world-renowned Westminster Abbey choir alongside musical performances by Leona Lewis and Ellie Goulding.

It also incorporated a performance of To The Day, a poignant composition created for the service by poet and writer Lemn Sissay, and readings delivered by speakers including The Duke of Cambridge, British Paralympian and junior doctor Kim Daybell and Kate Garraway.