Duchess of Cambridge: ‘I’ll step into Prince Philip’s shoes’ – Kate bids to take on more
The Duchess of Cambridge models herself on Prince Philip and will emulate his royal role as she takes on more duties following his retirement from public engagements, according to royal insiders.
Kate, 35, has long been an admirer of the Duke of Edinburgh and has told aides she intends to mirror the way he has supported the Queen for 65 years as she prepares to become Prince William’s consort.
The Sunday Express can also reveal that the royal couple are unlikely to have any more children now they are poised to increase their official workload on behalf of the Queen, 91, and her 95-year-old husband.
A well-placed source said: “I would be very surprised if they have a third child. They have got a boy and a girl – there is a sense that their family is now complete and they are moving onto the next chapter in their lives.”
The Cambridges will relocate to London from their Norfolk home Anmer Hall on the Sandringham estate in the summer before Prince George starts school in September.
Princess Charlotte is expected to be enrolled at the kindergarten at on the same site at Thomas’s Battersea.
I would be very surprised if they have a third child
Royal source
The move comes after Kensington Palace announced in January that William, 34, was quitting his role as an air ambulance pilot to become a full-time royal.
The statement said Kate would also step up the number of royal engagements she undertakes as they make Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace their main home.
A spokesman said: “Their Royal Highnesses are keen to continue to increase their official work on behalf of The Queen and for the charities and causes they support, which will require greater time spent in London.”
An aide said: “It’s a sort of happy coincidence rather than something that has been done by design. The Duke of Edinburgh’s decision has been taken over recent months with the thinking having began in earnest at the turn of the year. With Prince George starting school in September and the Cambridges moving back to London, the timing feels right.”
Kate has long modelled herself on Prince Philip, telling aides she want to emulate the way he supports the Queen while also championing the causes closest to his heart.
A source said: “If you look at Kate’s approach you will notice that it is very much in support of William, first and foremost, but also about carving her own charitable path, as he has done with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and his long involvement with charities like the WWF.”
Prince Harry will also take a more prominent role following his laudable contribution to last month’s hugely successful Heads Together mental health campaign with William and Kate, and his work on hard-hitting issues like AIDS and the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.
It has been reported that the 32-year-old royal will propose to his girlfriend Meghan Markle 35, so she can be by his side in an official capacity when her adopted home town of Toronto hosts the Invictus Games in September.
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
Tags: Kate Middleton, Prince Philip, Catherine Duchess of Cambridge, Kate, Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge
