The Princess of Wales has received an (unofficial) new title, jumping ahead of Prince William.

According to a YouGov poll taken in the UK, Kate Middleton is now the most popular living British royal.

The princess has overtaken her husband, the Prince of Wales, jumping up an extra six per cent since the start of the year.

In the past few months, speculation ran rife as to Kate’s whereabouts after a visit to hospital for ‘planned abdominal surgery,’ and just last month it was revealed that her absence from the public eye was due to her receiving a cancer diagnosis.

“Tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” she shared in her video statement. “My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”

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According to the poll taken following the Princess’ cancer news, her popularity within the UK has only risen, while Prince William’s has fallen slightly.

71 per cent of respondents shared that they have a positive view of the future queen, with only 10 per cent saying they view her in a negative light.

Kate Middleton has overtaken her husband for the title. (Getty)

As for William, the second most popular living British royal, 67 per cent of people view him in a positive light with 14 per cent saying they have a negative view of the future king.

However, there was one member of the British royal family who outranked both the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Even more than a year on from her passing, Queen Elizabeth II came in as the most popular member of the British royal family, with 77 per cent of the population saying they see the late Queen in a positive light.