'The Princess of Wales has the magic to save the monarchy Andrew nearly destroyed'

OPINION -- Thank goodness for the Princess of Wales.

The 44-year-old has given royal observers the sprinkling of magic the monarchy has been so desperately missing these past few weeks.

Within days of her disgraced uncle-in-law Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor being photographed cowering in the back of a car after his arrest, the princess was the picture of poise and elegance at the rugby and then at the BAFTAs with her husband.

Not only does Catherine consistently deliver sartorially with her inspiring mix of high-low fashion and knockout regal outings, she is a hard worker who is driven by her passion to help children.

The princess upholds the royal family's unofficial motto: never complain, never explain – an adage that served her well since marrying into the royal family 15 years ago, particularly during the aftermath of Prince Harry and Meghan's exit and their various tell-alls since.

The mother of three has also proven herself a strong force behind the scenes, supporting the late Queen Elizabeth II and now King Charles and Queen Camilla and, of course, Prince William, during some of The Firm's most challenging periods in recent years.

Her cancer diagnosis, and the dignified and brave way she handled the very public battle, inspired millions around the world and arguably only increased the princess' fierce determination to get on with things and ignore the noise.

READ MORE: Fergie 'moving around every few days' after Andrew's arrest

READ MORE: Homeland actor on being friends with the King and royal family

READ MORE: 'Andrew's arrest is the royal family's rock bottom'

And if we need another reason of why Catherine is the royal family's brightest star, she's redefined the role of a royal parent by blending a modern hands-on approach with the requirements of tradition and duty.

Last November, Prince William said he and Catherine "share" the school run but that his wife "probably does the bulk of it".

The list goes on and on.

In February, Catherine and Prince William were named the most popular members of the royal family in the latest YouGov poll that found around three-quarters of Britons viewed them in a favourable light, figures largely unchanged since October. William's popularity was at 77 per cent, Catherine's at 74.

Andrew's was at just three per cent. These results were done in January, well before his arrest last week.

While the princess' true thoughts on the Andrew matter will never be known publicly, her displeasure was on show in September when she and William stood next to him and Sarah Ferguson after the Duchess of Kent's funeral.

Both were stony-faced while Andrew and Fergie attempted to engage them in conversation, William and Catherine's contempt towards the former Duke and Duchess of York on show for all to see.

One would expect Catherine to be supportive of fresh calls to cut Andrew from the line of succession, primarily because of how bad it reflects on the monarchy as a whole to have someone as disgraceful as Andrew even in contention for the top job, no matter how unlikely the scenario of him being king is.

For that to happen Charles, Prince William and Kate's three children, Prince Harry and his two children would need to pass away in some unimaginable tragedy.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has become the first in all of the King's 14 realms to support moves to remove Andrew's succession rights.

Catherine and William, perhaps, would have smiled when they heard the news. They are rumoured to be planning a long-awaited royal tour to Australia later this year after being officially invited by the PM in late 2025.

As Andrew's arrest made headlines around the world last week, the royal family went about their business as usual.

The King, Queen Camilla and Princess Anne were first to face the public when they all kept their engagements on Thursday as Andrew was being questioned inside a Norfolk police station.

On Saturday, the Princess of Wales was seen smiling in the stands as she cheered on team England at the rugby.

The next day she and Prince William walked the red carpet at the BAFTAs, their first joint appearance since Andrew's arrest and one of their most high-profile in weeks.

In October, Prince William and Catherine were understood to fully support King Charles' leadership on the Andrew matter, including the removal of his royal titles and eviction from Royal Lodge.

A week before Andrew's arrest, the Prince and Princess of Wales said they were "deeply concerned by the continuing revelations" stemming from the Epstein files.

Their statement came hours before the King said he and Buckingham Palace were "ready to support" police.

Prince William and Catherine have always worked in partnership and any statement from the prince would have the backing of his wife who has long been his sounding board.

Catherine's quiet but steadfast influence behind palace doors has helped steered the royal family through the Prince Harry and Meghan debacle and in the months after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

The arrest of Andrew, and his and Ferguson's long list of ill-thought moves concerning Epstein, have brought the royal family to its worst chapter in modern history.

But Catherine's warm and smiling disposition, and the grace with which she carries on with duty, is proof that the future of the royal family is in safe hands with her and William.

The princess has long been called the jewel in the monarchy's crown and that has never been so apparent until now.

All royal families need glamour to maintain interest from the masses; it is why tradition, pomp and ceremony prove to be enduring parts of the royal family's playbook.

Adding to Catherine's star power is her humble middle-class upbringing, forever inspiring ordinary people that they, too, might have their own fairy tale (if they are incredibly lucky) – just look at our own Queen Mary, the Tasmanian-born commoner who married her Danish prince after meeting at a pub.

The royal family needs Catherine's glow now more than ever as the Andrew problem only deepens. Questions remain over whether he'll be charged and if he is, and found guilty, he faces significant time behind bars.

The situation for the monarchy is unprecedented.

There is no better way to avert the public's eyes from the misadventures of Andrew than pushing Catherine into the spotlight, from and centre, to rehabilitate the monarchy's image.

The Princess of Wales has the power to save the monarchy that Andrew has nearly destroyed.

There's no better person more suited, or better equipped, with such a monumental task.

FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.