According to This Royal Expert “The future of the monarchy hangs by a thread”

While Kate Middleton isn’t officially in the line of succession, experts say that she may just be the key to the British monarchy’s longevity. Tina Brown, royal expert and author of The Diana Chronicles, explained that while the world waits for Prince William to ascend to the throne, all the speculation and conspiracy theories that surrounded the Princess of Wales’s whereabouts after her abdominal surgery made it clear that she’s the one person everyone’s paying attention to.

“Catherine is the most popular member of the royal family after William,” Brown wrote in an op-ed for The New York Times that was published on Mar. 25. “The future of the monarchy hangs by a thread, and that thread is her.”

Brown cites the slimmed-down monarchy as the reason for the royals’ lessened gravitas. In addition to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving their posts as senior royals to live in California with their children, Prince Andrew has also been away from the royal schedule after his scandal involving Jeffrey Epstein.

“Help from other family members is scant,” Brown added. “The slimmed-down monarchy that Charles always promoted is suddenly looking very lean indeed.”

That leanness could be why Prince Edward and his wife, Duchess Sophie, attended an event today, Apr. 8, attended an event at with French Ambassador to the U.K. Hélène Duchêne at Buckingham Palace.

Brown adds that “Charles’s cancer has put William, 41, and Catherine in frightening proximity to ascending the throne,” which is what could be causing the couple “intense anxiety.” However, things may be turning around. Sources told The Sun that the king is planning a trip to Australia this year if his treatments go as planned and he recovers.

“The king is raring to go after a significant amount of time off due to his cancer diagnosis,” an insider said.

On Mar. 31, the king made his first public appearance since sharing his cancer diagnosis. The monarch attended the traditional Easter Sunday church service at Windsor Castle and even greeted well-wishers outside of St. George’s Chapel.