Kate Middleton is seen as ‘smiley and harmless’, but behind the scenes she is strong-willed and willing to fight for what she wants, royal author claims

Omid Scobie’s book Endgame cruelly branded her as a ‘Stepford-esque royal’ and ‘the monarchy’s last shiny thing for years to come’.

But behind the scenes, the Princess of Wales is far from the public perception of a smiling royal who merely carries out the wishes of others.

Speak with Peoplesaid royal author Valentine Low that Kate is much steelier behind the scenes than she looks and it is this character trait that makes her a crucial pillar of support for Prince William.

“She has a public image of being kind and smiley and, dare I say, harmless,” said Low, whose book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown was published earlier this year.

Although she may be considered “harmless,” according to author Valentine Low, Kate has a much steelier character than people might expect.

“But she’s actually strong-minded, strong-willed and willing to fight for what she wants and what she thinks is right.”

He added that as a future queen, Kate is thinking “strategically” about the long-term interests of the monarchy and the royal family.

Just one example is Kate’s input into the royal family’s infamous statement following Harry and Meghan’s explosive interview with Oprah.

A draft palace statement initially did not include the famous phrase ‘memories can be bad’ and the late queen initially approved a ‘much milder version’.

When a courtier first suggested the phrase — which was hailed as a classic royal maneuver involving an iron fist in a velvet glove — at least two palace officials protested it, lest it further inconvenience Harry and Meghan.

But it was Kate, then the Duchess of Cambridge, “who made the argument that it should stay that way,” Low said.

In his book he quotes a source who says: ‘It was Kate who made it clear: ‘History will judge this statement and unless this sentence or a similar one is included, everything they said will be considered true.’ .

It comes after Kate enjoyed Christmas Day with the royal family at Sandringham and looked effortlessly chic as she headed to church at Sandringham yesterday.

Kate, 41, beamed alongside her children Prince Louis, five, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince George, 10, in a blue Alexander McQueen coat and custom Gianvito Rossi ‘Glen 85’ boots as she headed to the St Mary Magdalene Church on the Norfolk Estate.

The Princess of Wales and Prince George meet well-wishers after attending the Christmas Day service at St. Mary Magdalene Church in Sandringham

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Mia Tindall presenting flowers to Mia Tindall as they greet well-wishers after attending the Christmas morning service at Sandringham Church

Prince Louis lovingly held hands with his second cousin Mia Tindall as he joined the rest of the royal family at Sandringham on Christmas Day

Kate held hands with Princess Charlotte and beamed as she walked past well-wishers.

Adding a touch of glamor to the festive look, Diana paid a sweet tribute to her mother-in-law by wearing a pair of Princess Diana earrings.

Princess Diana’s ‘The Saudi Suite’ set, a wedding gift from Crown Prince Fahd, includes a sapphire watch, earrings, bracelet, ring and necklace.

Diana, who loved sapphires, wore the entire set to a state reception in Brisbane in 1983, but also experimented with each item individually.

The earrings featured detachable sapphire drops, which Diana removed before wearing the resulting chunky studs, each surrounded by ten round diamonds, to mark Harry’s birth in 1985.

When William gave them to Kate after their engagement in 2010, she also put her own stamp on them and transformed them into modest earrings.

Kate, who has been known to wear the same clothes in different colors, also owns a green version of the Alexander McQueen coat, which she wore on a trip to Boston.

She paired the look with a festive fascinator, a navy blue turtleneck and a pleated midi skirt.

Hundreds of well-wishers had been queuing since the early hours to catch a glimpse of the royals, and waved excitedly as Charles and Camilla made their way to the church.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry has remained in the US with Meghan and their two children Archie and Lilibet – despite recent hopes of a thaw in relations between King Charles and his youngest son.