Duchess in distress
Kate’s exhausting 18-hour days. Plus, how Sophie’s stepping up to ease the burden
Making a surprise visit to a London preschool, a smiling Duchess of Cambridge appeared to be her usual happy self.
It might have been her fourth royal engagement in a
matter of days, but the mum of three looked elegant in skinny black jeans and ankle boots, chatting animatedly to teachers and kiddies alike as she helped serve the little ones breakfast.
But behind those obligatory smiles, the usually unflappable 38-year-old is secretly suffering. Still reeling from the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ decision to quit royal life, sources say cracks are beginning to show as the increased pressure takes its toll on hardworking Kate.
“She’s She s in a panic and has been having bouts of anxiety,” claims an insider. “She barely has time to rest, and when she does try to sleep, her mind is constantly racing.”
With Prince Harry and Meghan starting their new life with eight-month-old Archie in Canada, the pressure on Kate and Prince William, 37, to fulfil their royal responsibilities has doubled. According to insiders, Kate – who’s a devoted mum to Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, and 20-monthol old Prince Louis – sometimes w works 18 hours a day.
In the past week, she at attended an emotional UK H Holocaust Memorial ceremony, vi visited a children’s hospital an and a prison, not to mention th the preschool appearance to pr promote her recent survey into th the early years. And with her ca calendar fuller than ever – an ap appearance at the BAFTAS was sc scheduled for Sunday night – the hectic pace shows no sign of slowing.
“She’s already stretched pr pretty thin,” says the insider, “a “and now she’s really worried ab about how she’ll juggle the ex extra workload on top of her fa family life.”
With Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38 38, out of the royal picture, Ka Kate and William have even ha had to take on extra training no now that their responsibilities ar are increasing – with the pair sp spending long days in meetings w with the Queen’s closest ad advisors. Aides want to
ensure they’re across every aspect of royal life.
“Kate and William are already feeling the strain of Meghan and Harry’s departure – not only are their public appearances being increased but there’s the added pressures of what their roles will entail moving forward without Harry in support.
“The fact that one day William and then little George will be King weighs heavily on their minds.”
Indeed, in a rare show of emotion, Kate was seen wiping away a tear as her husband spoke about the Holocaust at the memorial last week, and friends say she’s more fragile than ever.
Our source says Kate has always been determined to juggle her royal duties with being a hands-on mother and she can’t help but worry that her increased workload will take her away from her children. She’s relying on support from her nanny Maria
Borrallo, and mum Carole Middleton, 65, who is said to be spending more time at Kensington Palace than her own home.
“Kate’s incredibly grateful for Carole’s support,” tells a friend. “Carole is Kate’s tower of strength and her numberone confidante. She’d be absolutely lost without her.”
But Kate’s rumoured to have confided in pals that she can’t help but feel sad and resentful towards Meghan and Harry for leaving her and other royals – including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie and the Countess of Wessex (see story, page 20) to pick up the slack.
Kate hasn’t spoken to either Harry or Meghan since their shock announcement a month ago, and the rift between them is deeper than ever.
“She is extremely sad about the way it’s turned out because ultimately she still loves Harry and wishes she could talk to him,” says the insider. “She misses him and fears she’ll never be close to him again.”
While Kate has long enjoyed a good relationship with the Queen, the last few months have brought the two women even closer.
Kate has been “terribly concerned” about the 93-yearold throughout the past few months amid Prince Andrew’s fall from grace and Harry’s heartbreaking decision to leave the family. She is said to check in with her husband’s grandmother almost daily.
“She always asks if there’s anything she can do, and makes it very clear that she and William are committed for the long haul.”
For his part, William is doing whatever he can to
make life easier for his wife, even though he’s got a lot on his plate too. On January 25, the Queen appointed him the new Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which comes with a new set of responsibilities and duties.
Still, adds the source, “William’s going all out to ensure Kate doesn’t feel
overwhelmed. He’s making sure that the time they spend together is extra special and is planning romantic dinners and weekend getaways.”
He’s even spoken to the Queen to make it clear that while they’re happy to take on extra workload, their family will always come first.
“The Queen’s been very understanding of that and
assured him that as a young monarch herself, having four children to take care of and often regretting how much time she missed watching them grow up, she’s brutally aware of his concerns and will do everything in her power to avoid them being in the same position,” tells the insider.
Meanwhile, Kate and William are doing their best to adjust to their new reality, promising each other that they’ll get through this with each other’s support.
“They’re trying to take everything in their stride and work towards finding a balance, but it’s going to be a work in progress,” says the source. “But they know they have each other and that they’ll get through it.”