News & Resources

Kate Middleton vies with Prince William for top spot in UK press match

28 April 2011 - According to Kantar Media, a leading provider of media research and insights, Kate Middleton now features more than Prince William, her future husband, in the UK press.  With eight more articles than her fiancé, Kate has edged ahead of William and zoomed past other leading Royals in the coverage contest.

Kate Middleton first attracted press coverage in 2005 when she started to date Prince William.  Her press profile stepped up a gear when she and William temporarily broke up in 2007 and then subsequently got back together a few months later.   Kate Middleton then retreated from view until the engagement announcement on 16 November 2010 when press coverage went into 'saturation mode'.  

Brian Merron, Director, Kantar Media, commented: "Kate Middleton has had a meteoric rise in popularity in the UK press to the extent that she is now truly a match for her future husband in the media stakes."

The Wales family in the press (1 January to 21 April 2011)

1. Kate Middleton: 3,197 articles

2. Prince William: 3,189 articles

3. Prince Charles: 1,274 articles

4. Prince Harry: 864 articles

The Wales family in UK print media (2005 until 21 April 2011)

1. Prince Charles: 24,491 articles

2. Prince William: 17,245 articles

3. Prince Harry: 11,714 articles

4. Kate Middleton: 9,760 articles

 Other research highlights:

• There were only 21 articles about Kate Middleton between 15 and 21 April 2010.  This figure jumps to 483 between 15 and 21 April 2011.
• Kate Middleton's coverage peaked immediately following the engagement announcement on 16 November 2010 at 736 articles.   

  Research methodology

Kantar Media analysed all UK daily national print media to provide rankings of Prince Charles, Prince William, Prince Harry and Kate Middleton in the print media from 1 January 2005 to 21 April 2011.