Duchess of Cambridge Radiates Happiness in Polo Match with Family

The cameras were focused on the royal family as they relaxed in the sunshine at a polo match last Sunday.

The charming children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, were the center of attention, with the young prince displaying playful intent while his sister skipped and somersaulted around.

However, the standout element of this tableau of family happiness was the Duchess of Cambridge, who sat bare-legged on the ground with sunglasses casually propped up on her head.

These photographs are extraordinary, not only because they capture the happiness of the royal family but also because they show the Duchess of Cambridge looking wonderful.

It is only seven weeks since the birth of her third child, Prince Louis, and the early weeks of baby number three have been tough.

With all three pregnancies, she suffered from extreme morning sickness, so it is understandable if she wanted to retreat from the spotlight a little bit longer.

But judging from her smiling informality, Kate is feeling wonderful.

The answer to why Kate is feeling so good lies in part with another set of pictures taken 24 hours earlier of the Buckingham Palace balcony for the Queen's official birthday celebrations, trooping the color.

In these, the Duchess of Cambridge stands in the front row next to her father-in-law, Prince Charles, towering over him and looking completely at ease.

Behind her is the Duchess of Sussex, who is slimmer and shorter but equally stylish.

The two women, relatives by marriage and neighbors at Kensington Palace, are the pinups of the royal family, both epitomes of style whose every outfit provokes a sales rush.

The couture chic of Meghan has drawn comparisons with Kate's more high street look, but are they rivals?

Courtiers believe there could be a nuanced message here.

As elegant and chic as Kate looked, her £39.99 Zara dress will be much more affordable to the average British woman than Meghan's high-end fashion choices.

There was surprise that Meghan chose the off-the-shoulder look again on Saturday.

She looked like she was going to a cocktail party rather than the formality of the Queen's birthday parade.

In her early days, Kate had to be subtly told not to show so much leg, so it can happen to anyone.

Many at the palace have warmed to the arrival of the American for just those reasons, of course.

But they didn't come across as stiff and rather formal alongside the more spontaneous and articulate Meghan.

They are not the first royal sisters-in-law to face critical attention.

Thirty years ago, Princess Diana and the Duchess of York seesawed between kinship and rivalry.

Kate, of course, is not Diana, though Sunday's visit to the polo field is reminiscent of the princess's own weekend visits with Harry and William to watch Prince Charles play in the 80s and early 90s.

And any comparison between the Duchess of Sussex and Fergie starts and ends with the fact that Meghan, too, married a younger royal prince who also happened to be in the armed services.

Meghan's adjustment to royal life is taking time.

Insiders say she was very nervous on her first appearance on the palace balcony, and Harry was a reassuring presence at her side.

Both Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall have recognized that such is the scale of the change in her life from screen star to working duchess that she will need extra time to adapt.

They are trying to keep things light to ensure she doesn't get overwhelmed by the idea of duty.

Kate can be key to this.

As an outsider, she knows the royal ropes, but the two women are not obvious allies.

What binds them is the love and affection they have for Harry and their shared lives at Kensington Palace.

There is one area where Meghan cannot compete with Kate – children.

Harry yearns to become a father, and the sight of George and Charlotte playing in the sunshine also carried a powerful message, for Kate was showing that, as a member of the royal family, being a mother is the most important thing of all.

In conclusion, the Duchess of Cambridge radiated happiness as she enjoyed a day out with her family at the polo match.

Despite the challenges of motherhood, Kate looked wonderful and at ease, which could be attributed to Meghan's arrival and the comparisons made between their fashion choices.

While the two women are not obvious allies, they share a love for Harry and their lives at Kensington Palace.

Ultimately, Kate's message was clear – being a mother is the most important thing of all, and Meghan may want to copy her in this regard.