Kate Middleton’s Secret Strength: 'She Is Prepared to Fight for What She Thinks Is Right' (Exclusive)

"Kate thinks strategically," royal author Valentine Low tells PEOPLE in this week's issue

Kate Middleton felt the support of those closest to her as she hosted her annual carol concert on Dec. 8. But the festive occasion came amid a wave of controversy. 

Just days prior, the publication of Omid Scobie's new book Endgame described Kate, 41, as "cold" and unwelcoming to royal newbie Meghan Markle and — in a Dutch translation of the book — Kate was named alongside King Charles as the royals who allegedly took part in conversations about the skin color of Prince Harry and Meghan’s son Prince Archie before he was born. (Buckingham Palace says aides are “exploring all options,” including legal, following the publishing error that led to the names being included.)

But on this night, just as they had on an earlier outing when they ignored questions about the book from reporters, Kate and husband Prince William kept looking forward.

“It is why a lot of people who have worked with her think she is such an asset to the royal family, because she has this amazing professionalism," royal author Valentine Low tells PEOPLE in this week's issue.

Related: What Kate Middleton and Prince William Are Trying to Say with Their 2023 Family Christmas Card

Like other royal consorts in history, Kate has a toughness behind the scenes as she supports her husband and future king William.

“She has this public image of being nice and smiley and, dare I say, innocuous,” royal author Valentine Low tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. “But she is actually strong-minded, strong-willed and prepared to fight for what she wants and what she thinks is right.”

Her steeliness came into play in the immediate aftermath of Harry and Meghan’s bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2021. After the Duke and Duchess of Sussex alleged that there were “concerns and conversations about how dark” their son Archie’s “skin might be when he’s born,” Buckingham Palace released a 61-word statement on behalf of Queen Elizabeth. The statement pointedly noted that “some recollections may vary” regarding what was discussed in the interview—and Low writes in his book Courtiers: The Hidden Power Behind the Crown (out in paperback in September) that Kate played a key role in pushing that phrasing.

“She thought it was very important this did not go unchallenged,” Low says. “Kate thinks strategically. She is going to be queen one day and has the longterm interests of the monarchy and royal family at heart.”

Adds royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith, “She showed real strength and determination to make things clear that there was perhaps a different truth.”

After several years of family strain, claims and allegations from Harry and Meghan are in the rearview mirror for William and Kate — and there is no sign of reconciliation between the two couples.

“She’s moved on, and William has too,” a friend of Kate’s tells PEOPLE. “She’s very focused on what matters going forward. They aren’t looking back.”

As her 42nd birthday approaches on Jan. 9, Kate can assess her first full calendar year as the Princess of Wales. And while she may not be monarch, she has replaced Queen Elizabeth, who died at age 96 in 2022, as the best-known female member of the royal family—and one who wields an increasing amount of influence.

"She’s very much seen as a player at the center of team Windsor,” says Simon Lewis, former Buckingham Palace and co-host of the BBC podcast When It Hits the Fan.

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As she continues to face the pressures of the royal spotlight, those who know Princess Kate best say she will carry on, calmly.

“She has close friends and family around her and a good relationship with her father-in-law [King Charles],” says an insider, “that equip her going forward.”

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