We don't know how she does it, but year after year, Kate Middleton just keeps getting better — and 2021 was no exception. More than ever, this is a woman who knows she's going to be queen consort someday, and she seems totally prepared for the role. Of course, we've never had any doubt that she and Prince William would be ready to reign when the time comes, but the Duchess of Cambridge has really been blowing us away lately — both with her behavior and her regal fashion choices.
From Kate's flawless royal appearances, to the way she owned the red carpet at the No Time To Die movie premiere, to how she celebrated personal milestones like her 10th wedding anniversary with William, this year really was Kate's time to shine.
Read on for all the ways Kate made 2021 her own. If she's already accomplishing this much, we can't wait to see what the coming year holds for her and the rest of her little family — including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
She Filled In for the Queen
When Queen Elizabeth's doctors advised her against attending the Remembrance Day ceremonies this year, Kate was there, standing in her place on the balcony. It makes sense — after all, Kate will be queen consort one day, so she might as well start preparing for the role.
Playing Ref for William & Prince Harry
There was a lot of debate about whether or not the royal brothers would interact at their grandfather Prince Philip's funeral in April, and it seems like having Kate there helped move the conversation along. Their relationship isn't repaired yet, but so far, Kate seems to be doing her part to bring the feud closer to an end.
Scoring Compliments From James Bond
When Kate and the rest of the senior royals attended the No Time To Die premiere in September, not only did she get the chance to chat with actor Daniel Craig, but she also received a compliment from James Bond himself, who said that she looked "jolly lovely" that night in her glittery gold gown.
The Family Peacekeeper
Kate has always been known as the buffer in the family — a skill of hers that has undoubtedly come in extra handy with all the rumored drama and infighting happening between the royals, including Harry and Meghan after their move across the pond. This will serve her well as she continues to climb the ranks.
Check out our Meghan Markle page for all the latest news about Meghan, Prince Harry, and their growing family.
Setting New Hair Trends
From the moment she became a member of the royal family, Kate has been a trendsetter, and 2021 has been no different. In fact, toward the end of the year, she started wearing her hair in tighter curls, starting a new hair trend that's already begun to spread.
The Scotland Tour
William and Kate's Scotland tour in May was a big moment for them — and another opportunity for Kate to shine. She pulled out all the stops with her wardrobe, charming everyone everywhere she went, including when they stopped to have tea with a family on their travels.
Taking Her Responsibilities Seriously
If there's one thing Kate has proven she understands, it's the duty and responsibility of being royal. Instead of getting caught up in the drama, Kate is reportedly focused on the Queen's upcoming Platinum Jubilee in 2022, and making sure all the focus is on the monarch instead.
Her Forward Trust Speech
In November, Kate gave a speech about addiction awareness, impressing crowds with both her confidence and the content of her speech. Coming from someone who was once often criticized for her public speaking, it's clear how far Kate has come. She's well prepared for the future!
She's Never Said No to a Challenge
Kate is always down for anything — something she's proven time and time again during her royal appearances — and that attitude has only persevered through 2021. Though the Queen isn't always willing to get down and dirty the way Kate is, it just goes to show how Kate is ready to take the royals into the future.
Setting a Good Example for Public Health
When it was Kate's turn to get her COVID-19 vaccine in the UK, not only did she step right up, but she also shared a photo of herself getting jabbed on the Cambridges' social media account. She's ready to set a good example when it comes to public health, just like a queen should.
Her Early Years Project
Kate has always been passionate about early childhood education, and this year, she continued her project as she worked toward her goal of creating the Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. Kate never fails to impress — there's no doubt this will be a huge part of her legacy.
Those Anniversary Photos
This year included a big milestone for Kate and William: their 10th wedding anniversary. To mark the occasion, they took some gorgeous photos together, though let's be real — Kate was the real star of these snaps. These two are going to make a great king and queen someday.
She Upped Her Technology Game
Kate started interacting with social media more this year, proving she's ready to continue taking the royals into modern times. Not only did she share selfies and videos she'd filmed herself, but this was the first-ever selfie video she'd ever posted, and it was for a cause that means a lot to her: mental health.
She's Been All About Acts of Kindness
Kate was all about showing kindness whenever she could this year — even if it wasn't publicized. She showed up to pay her respects at a memorial for Sarah Everard, a woman who was murdered by a police officer who kidnapped her in London, and she gave her umbrella up to a woman she was speaking with at an event who didn't have one.
Her Style Has Been Better Than Ever
Don't get us wrong — Kate has always been a royal style icon. But this year, she seemed to step up her fashion game in more ways than one. From the sparkly dress she wore to the No Time To Die premiere to her purple power suit, Kate's looks were on point.
She's Not Afraid To Joke Around
In case anyone ever thought Kate was all business, think again! During the COP26 royal reception, Kate teased William with a cup of larvae, and as we can all see from this photo, he was not impressed. Still, it was pretty funny to see his reaction — and Kate certainly seemed to enjoy herself.
