Princess Kate avoids ‘short intense bursts of attention’ to maintain popularity 'snowball'

Russel said: "If you think back to her wedding in 2011, she was very popular, even then.

"But she certainly benefited from that rush of joy and celebration that surrounded the wedding.

“It's difficult sometimes to remember just how generally positive the public mood was in Britain in 2011 and 2012.

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“There was the royal wedding, the Olympics, then the Diamond Jubilee. It really was a year in which we saw a very open display of celebration and patriotism.

“The then-Duchess of Cambridge certainly benefited from that. We started to see her popularity grow into something more personal over the next few years."

Russell argued that Kate's current popularity is not due to a single "pivotal moment".

He explained: “I don't think there was a pivotal moment. What is quite interesting about her is that she sees royal life as a marathon, not a sprint.

“Kate was not asking to make a hugely strong first impression. She took her time in picking her causes.

"She also took her time focusing on her family, and she really looked up to the late Queen and other members of the Royal Family.

"The princess learned how to engage with the public in the most effective way.

“What is very clear when you see her is that she enjoys meeting people and that leaves a very positive impression.

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“So I don't think there's one single moment with the Princess of Wales’s popularity.

"It is a gathering snowball, and it's something that's sustainable and long-term.

"That's something she would prefer as opposed to very short intense bursts of attention and popularity.

"So it's a marathon, not a sprint for her - she’s very impressive.”