The Duchess of Cambridge has brought new interest and attention to the royal family with her natural poise, beauty and grace. She is queen now, but that reality is far from her previous life. Kate: The Making of the Modern Queen explores this inspiring figure and how she is redefining the global perception of the British royal family in the 21st century.
Kate Middleton’s blood is deeply rooted in service to the country. Her great-grandfather was a miner who toiled beneath the palace and her father was a distinguished officer in the Royal Air Force. The film describes their family life as happy and normal. Kate likely inherited their shared style from their impressive pedigree. Despite her superstar status, people seem to respond to her approachability, authenticity and compassion. For the first time in decades, they feel that their royal representatives are a true reflection of themselves.
She and her husband, Prince William, have managed to breathe a healthy dose of vitality and youth into the old monarchy. She gave her husband the blessing of children, a sense of stability and a dazzling camaraderie. But even the highest altitudes present unique challenges. “The future queen has two roles,” notes one of the film’s many knowledgeable interviewees. “One is to produce an heir and the other is to learn how to be queen one day.”
As she adjusts and prepares for her potential future as queen, she faces unprecedented media scrutiny. This conundrum has only become more frenzied in the age of social media. The filmmakers strongly acknowledge the groundwork she laid in the early stages of her new life, including her work with charities, the way she spoke to the general public and her voice as a voice for causes for ordinary people.
Kate: The Making of a Modern Queen is an entertaining portrait of one of the most recognizable figures of our time and fascinating speculation on how she will shape the royal family’s identity for years to come.
Directed by: Vance Goodwin, Adrian Munsey
