Kate, Princess of Wales, has narrowly beaten Prince William to become the UK’s most popular member of the Royal Family.

Around 63 percent of Britons surveyed decided Princess Kate, 42, was “favourable” compared to 62 percent for Prince William, 41.

When it came to which of the pair was “strongly favourable” Kate again narrowly beat the heir to the throne 36 percent to 34 percent.

The latest research, published by the Independent, comes as Kate receives treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

Speaking about the research, Political Research Director at Savanta Chris Hopkins described how significant Kate’s popularity was.

Mr Hopkins said: “The Princess of Wales in particular enjoys a level of support that any politician would be jealous of.”

In contrast to the Wales’ Duke and Duchess of Sussex had much lower scores. Just 29 percent of respondents thought Prince Harry, 39, was favourable.

Similarly, just 25 percent of respondents thought Meghan Markle, 42, was favourable and just nine percent were placed into the strongly favourable category.

Prince Harry is due to return to the UK next week to attend a ceremony to mark 10 years of the Invictus Games.

A service will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral to mark the anniversary of the sporting event that helps support wounded military veterans. Harry launched the games in March 2014 at the Copper Box arena.

Meghan Markle is not expected to join the prince and instead is staying the USA and it will be the first time Harry has travelled since flying in to see King Charles shortly after his cancer diagnosis.

Rebecca English, the Daily Mail’s royal correspondent, said she expected Harry to arrive on May 7 after celebrating son Prince Archie Harrison’s birthday.

Prince Harry is also expected to meet his father King Charles as he continues to receive treatment for an unspecified form of cancer.

A source said: “Although the King will have time in his diary for a brief visit, that hasn’t been confirmed yet due to the garden party schedule. Even if Harry does meet with his father, it is highly unlikely that Camilla will be in the same room.”

Ahead of his visit, there has been speculation about whether Harry could also meet his brother for the first time since his memoir Spare was released last year.

However, hopes that the two would meet again have been quashed. Speaking to the Daily Mail’s Palace Confidential, royal expert Richard Eden said he believed a reunion was unlikely.

He explained: “Will he see Catherine? I think that’s much more unlikely. And from everything I hear, William won’t be meeting him. That’s not a meeting that’s going to happen again in a hurry.”