Prince William Celebrates Kate's Popularity Unlike King Charles' Jealousy Over Diana, Experts Claim

Prince William's reported response to his wife Kate Middleton's popularity has drawn comparisons with the very different dynamic between his father, King Charles, and Princess Diana.

Royal commentators say William appears comfortable with Kate attracting attention in her own right, rather than viewing her popularity as a threat to his own public standing.

The Princess of Wales has increasingly been described by royal observers as one of the monarchy's most prominent stars, with comparisons to Diana's extraordinary popularity.

British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard and former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond have both highlighted what they see as William's pride in his wife's public appeal.

Why Prince William Is Said To Embrace Kate's Royal Popularity

Chard told Fox News Digital that William's feelings towards Kate go beyond his official responsibilities, portraying him as deeply proud of and still captivated by his wife after more than a decade of marriage and three children.

She also said the couple had successfully established both a private family life and a public role, describing that balance as a significant achievement.

Bond similarly pointed to the couple's public appeal, saying William appears pleased rather than uncomfortable when Kate attracts attention. She noted that although William receives considerable attention himself, his response to Kate's popularity appears different from the reaction attributed to his parents.

Christopher Andersen, author of Kate!, also compared the two generations. He said the public's affection for Kate recalls the admiration Diana received, while saying William is content to allow his wife to shine rather than becoming jealous of her popularity.

The comments come as Kate continues to attract considerable public interest during royal engagements. Royal commentators have described William and Kate as an increasingly prominent partnership within the Royal Family.

What Princess Diana Said About Charles' Jealousy

The comparison has its roots in Diana's own account of her marriage to the then-Prince Charles. During her controversial 1995 Panorama interview with Martin Bashir, Diana recalled the overwhelming public response to her during a 1983 royal tour of Australia.

Diana went on to explain that she believed Charles found the public preference difficult, saying, 'Now, if you're a man like my husband, a proud man, you mind about that if you hear it every day for four weeks.' She added that he could feel 'low about it, instead of feeling happy and sharing it'.

Diana also said the attention had resulted in 'a lot of jealousy' and 'complicated situations'. Her comments have since been cited by royal commentators when comparing the way Charles and William have appeared to respond to their wives receiving substantial public attention.

'Luckily, William doesn't seem to suffer the same jealousy that his father did when Diana was the darling of the crowds,' Bond said of the Prince of Wales.

How Charles and Diana's Marriage Ended

Charles and Diana married at St Paul's Cathedral on 29 July 1981 and had two sons, Prince William and Prince Harry. Their relationship later deteriorated, with the couple formally separating in December 1992 before their divorce was finalised on 28 August 1996.

William's marriage to Kate has so far followed a different timeline. The couple dated for nearly 10 years before they got engaged and married six months later. They exchanged vows on 29 April 2011 and have three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. The Prince and Princess of Wales have been married for 15 years already.

The comparisons therefore focus less on proving what happened privately between the older generation and more on how royal commentators interpret the two marriages publicly.

While claims about Charles' jealousy remain part of the historical discussion surrounding Diana, experts quoted in recent coverage say William appears comfortable with Kate receiving attention in her own right.