Amid her ongoing cancer treatment, Kate Middleton‘s friends have revealed what’s really going on behind the scenes at Kensington Palace and as it turns out, they’re breaking with tradition in more ways than one.
Daily Mail columnist Richard Eden spoke to a few of the Princess of Wales’ confidants. They revealed that we may not see Catherine return to royal duties until the fall, so long as she’s recovered fully. But they also spoke about the “revolutionary” changes taking place in Catherine and William’s home.
In September 2023, news circulated that Kensington Palace was recruiting a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) who would be responsible for about 60 staff and report directly to Catherine and William rather than going through a private secretary. “This is a revolutionary move,” a source said at the time. “They are overthrowing the traditional, hierarchical structure in which staff answer to private secretaries.” The search has been suspended while the Princess endures chemotherapy.
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“No one wants to put any pressure on Catherine,” an insider told Eden. “The only thing that matters at the moment is her getting better. She has been through an ordeal this year. What this means in practice is that big decisions, such as the appointment of new staff, can wait. It’s a reflection of Her Royal Highness’s importance to the future of the Monarchy that she has been given as much time as she needs.”
The timeline for Kate’s return to royal duties is still uncertain, and Kensington Palace will not provide further updates on her treatment. When she announced her cancer diagnosis with the public on March 22, 2024, the Princess of Wales referenced her commitment to her royal duties, saying, “My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.”