

Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to Marie Claire. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are riding a wave of popularity right now. For their latest effort, they hosted a much-publicized carol service at Westminster Abbey, which was attended by several younger members of the royal family, including Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice, and Zara Tindall.
For royal expert Dickie Arbiter, it's not a coincidence for us to be seeing more of the Cambridges' generation these days. "It’s the third generation taking the lead—we’re living in a time, the Cambridges are the bridge within the monarchy," Arbiter tells Femail.
"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 thank you," he continues. "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."
Arbiter goes on to explain why the Cambridges' role is so important within the royal family right now. "Young people know who the Queen is but they can't quite attune with someone so distant in terms of the age gap," he says. "When you have people like the Cambridges, they act as a bridge between the young people and older generation."
With the Queen suffering health issues in the last few weeks, and after the passing of Prince Philip in April, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been stepping up and taking on a "higher role" in the royal family in recent months.
Marie Claire Newsletter
Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
There’s a Way for King Charles to “Bring His Family Back Together Again”—But It Might Cause Controversy
He will have to make a decision relatively soon on the matter.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Jodie Turner-Smith Files for Divorce from Joshua Jackson After Nearly Four Years of Marriage
The two share a three-year-old daughter and have been together since 2018.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Meghan Markle, U.S. Senator? Maybe, and Maybe Sooner Than You Think
Her name is being offered up to possibly fill the U.S. Senate seat of California Democrat Dianne Feinstein, who died Friday at age 90.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
George, Charlotte and Louis Will Be Laden With Gifts as Prince William Returns From New York
He was handed so many souvenirs for the little ones.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William Makes Sure to "Treat George and Charlotte as Equals," Body Language Expert Says
I should hope so!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William Isn't "A Workaholic Like His Father," Royal Expert Claims
He's got more of a work-life balance.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate's New "Signature" Gesture? The Stealthy "Bum Pat" to Prince William
Love this for her.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince Harry Says His "Spirit Is Renewed" as He Attends the Warrior Games for Wounded Service Members in San Diego
The Games inspired his Invictus concept.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Prince William Not Expected to Invite Prince Harry to His Coronation, Friend Claims
That doesn't sound good.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
We Finally Know Where the Earthshot Prize 2023 Will Take Place
Let's go!
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Princess Kate Is Seen Skipping Happily With Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte in Behind-the-Scenes Footage
This is too cute.
By Iris Goldsztajn