Catherine, known for her calm and commitment to royal duties, is said to be nearing her breaking point. She is burdened with outdated customs, recent problems while still recovering from previous personal problems. This year's royal Christmas has brought her frustrations to the surface more clearly than ever. For Catherine, this year's Christmas represents a clash between tradition and modernity, reflecting larger tensions within the monarchy. While the royal family adheres to old customs, Catherine, with the support of Prince William, is in favour of modernity.

She questioned customs such as children sitting at separate tables and servants remaining almost silent during meals, underscoring the complexity of royal life during the holidays. Catherine believed these old-fashioned symbols were cold and unnecessary, preferring to promote unity between generations rather than strict adherence to formality. A source close to the family revealed that she was frustrated by having to explain to her children their seating arrangements at Christmas dinner. Her frustration also extended to Queen Camilla’s growing influence. Recent decisions, such as inviting her son Tom Parker Bowles to the royal Christmas party, have caused controversy.

For Catherine and William, the change felt less like modernization and more like favoritism, further straining their relationship with King Charles III and Camilla. Adding to Catherine’s stress were ongoing royal scandals. Prince Andrew’s struggle to retain the Royal Lodge after losing financial support has created significant tension, especially as he has had to rely on the help of his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie. Meanwhile, rumours of Princess Eugenie spending the holidays with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have only added to the family divide.

The drama surrounding Harry and Meghan has been particularly stressful for Catherine, as their public criticism has tarnished the monarchy to which she has devoted her life. Closer to home, the relationship between King Charles and Prince William is said to be strained. As Charles faces the end of his reign, William is positioning himself for the future of the monarchy, putting Catherine in a challenging position between her loyalty to William and her respect for the crown.

This year has been a special one because of the difficulties Catherine has faced, which she has faced with dignity. Her constant recovery sapped her energy and stamina. Despite the immense pressure of scandal and rigid tradition, Catherine was determined to help modernize the monarchy with William. They envisioned a royal family that was more approachable, united, and in tune with contemporary realities. However, resistance from within the family and their increasing workloads made this difficult.