Kate Middleton and Prince William have been showing a more laid-back side of the Royal Family in recent months, as shown in the intimate family moments shared in the Princess of Wales's September cancer update video. And by sharing a warm hug with 16-year-old cancer patient Liz Hatton during an Oct. 2 meeting, one royal expert says the Waleses are taking the monarchy in a more modern direction.
Former royal photographer Ian Lloyd told GB News's Martin Daubney that "it's very different than how it used to be" with the royals in terms of connecting with the public.
"It's indicative of a new approach of the monarchy," he noted. "In previous generations, it was them and us. And now, particularly in this case of cancer, it's all together."
The Prince and Princess of Wales invited Hatton, who is battling terminal cancer, to photograph an investiture that William was presiding over at Windsor Castle. Later, the royal couple met with the teen and her family privately, sharing two photos from their time together on Instagram.
Of their meeting, Lloyd said, "Kate has been a sufferer, but also she's interested in photography as well, so there's that bond there. But it's a kind of meeting of equal minds."
Although Queen Elizabeth II was obviously from a very different generation, the royal commentator shared that she carried out her duties in a more formal way. "I think the Royal Family are thinking a bit out of the box now. They are using a new approach and are more relaxed. You wouldn't get the late Queen hugging somebody who's been ill, that just wouldn't happen."
Lloyd also noted how Prince William let Hatton "take photographs of the investiture at Windsor, which again really wouldn't happen" with previous royals.
The duo also chatted about Prince William's dad's night out at an Aston Villa match on Oct. 2, with Daubney calling the Prince of Wales "a normal bloke enjoying the football," adding "he's a royal but he's got that regular Joe to him."
Lloyd compared William to his late grandmother, who "lost it each year" while watching horse racing. "It's this thing of uniting people, of bringing people together. It's a sort of bonding between the monarchy and the people."
The Waleses aren't the only ones showing a more relaxed approach to their duties; King Charles has given the public a look at his fun side while trying out Samoan dancing at a recent Buckingham Palace reception. The King also proved he makes his own rules when it comes to royal PDA after taking part in a joyful group hug with a group of rugby players last month.
