Royals 5 Rules Kate Middleton Can Follow for Becoming Queen — from Being Discreet to Embracing Your In-Laws Kate Middleton is following author Sally Bedell Smith's secrets for success in her regal role as a future queen By Stephanie Petit Stephanie Petit Stephanie Petit is a Royals Editor, Writer and Reporter at PEOPLE. People Editorial Guidelines Published on September 13, 2019 01:35PM EDT Kate Middleton has a role that few people in the world can relate to — that of future Queen. Although there isn’t an exact guideline that the Duchess of Cambridge can follow, Sally Bedell Smith, the author of several biographies about Queen Elizabeth, reveals the secrets for success in the regal role to PEOPLE in this week’s issue. 1. Be Humble and Discreet “That is the essence of being a member of the royal family,” says Bedell Smith. “It’s taking a leaf out of the book of both the Queen Mother and the Queen, who has this extraordinary ability to combine a regal quality with a palpable humility.” The author adds that Queen Elizabeth gives speeches rather than interviews, while the Queen Mother gave just one interview in her life — the day after she was engaged. “That kind of discretion works because otherwise you open the floodgates and counteract the majesty [of the role],” she says. Kate Middleton ‘Desperately Wants Normality for Her Kids’: ‘She Wants to Emulate Her Upbringing’ John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty 2. Maintain a Consistent Style “Princess Diana was constantly trying on new personae and new looks,” says Bedell Smith. “She was in this hall of mirrors where she was always observing how she looked and reacting to it.” She adds, “The Queen and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall have long adopted consistent looks and so has Kate.” The author shares that Kate is “sensible about how she approaches fashion,” including recycling her favorite pieces — sometimes years apart! And while she subtly changes her look occasionally (like trying out a lighter hue on her hair) she always returns to her trusted standbys (for example, her signature bouncy blowout). Kate Middleton. Chris Jackson-WPA Pool/Getty; Mark Cuthbert/UK Press/Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage Kate Middleton Knew the ‘Demands’ of Joining the Royal Family: ‘She’d Seen Enough’ 3. Know Your Causes and Avoid Controversy Kate’s public life has centered around the well-being of children, from encouraging them to play outside to encouraging public attention on issues facing kids such as addiction, poverty, abuse and neglect. “Kate speaks knowledgeably about her charities, and that indicates she is mastering her brief,” says Bedell Smith. “She and William have adopted causes that can resonate with a large portion of the population and haven’t sought to take controversial positions.” Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! 4. Embrace the Countryside — and Your In-Laws Queen Elizabeth and the rest of the royal family often escape London for one of their country getaways such as Balmoral Castle in Scotland. “She grew up in Berkshire. That whole way of life is embedded in the way the royals are,” says Bedell Smith of Kate. “It is part of savoring the outdoors and appreciating nature. That sensibility came easily to her.” Kate Middleton and Prince William. SplashNews.com 5. Be a Supportive Spouse “Kate is secure enough without feeling compelled to overshadow William,” says the author. “In the case of Diana and Charles, it was a contest. He had been center of attention, and suddenly this supernova arrived and was taking up the spotlight.” Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Bedell Smith adds, “It would be easy for Kate to slip into the foreground, but she is aware and mindful of that.”