Mentor helped ‘turn Wills into a statesman’

PRINCE William is losing the right-hand man credited with helping him ‘step up’ as a future international statesman.

Simon Case was brought into Kensington Palace as the second in line to the throne’s private secretary – his most senior member of staff – almost two years ago.

Mr Case was intimately involved in successful high profile official tours to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Pakistan, Kuwait and Oman, all of which were seen to have given the future king more gravitas on the international stage.

Mr Case was also party to this year’s ‘Megxit’ negotiations between the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry. It had been suggested that Mr Case’s move to Downing Street was a temporary one and that he was keen to return to royal service, with the assumption being that he would help guide William in the next stage of his royal career.

But sources made clear last night that he had built a strong team around him and if anything his move to Government would help ensure William’s full potential was better utilised, particularly given the challenges currently facing the country. William’s current communications secretary, Christian Jones, is standing in for Mr Case and will be considered a strong contender for the permanent role.

Sources said Mr Jones – who has been behind William’s well-received handling of the coronavirus crisis – will remain acting private secretary for the ‘foreseeable future’.