KATE, DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE THE PILLAR OF STRENGTH
PRINCE WILLIAM THE FULL-TIME ROYAL
SHE’S been William’s rock since their days at the University of St Andrews in Scotland and has grown into a devoted wife who often defers to her husband in public but is nevertheless strong, capable and fun-loving. And as she and brother-in-law Harry grew closer over the years he learnt to lean on the gentle, stoic duchess as well.
“When she and William got engaged, Harry called her the big sister he never had,” Newsweek’s Angela Levin wrote after interviewing the younger prince in 2016. “He often pops into their apartment at Kensington Palace where she cooks him a meal – roast chicken is reportedly a particular favourite.”
Of course, now Harry has Meghan to enjoy homemade roast chicken dinners with. But there’s no doubt Kate (35) will play a major role in the couple’s lives – and Meghan’s in particular. The Los Angelesborn beauty may be a pro in front of the cameras but has conceded she has a lot to learn about what it means to be a royal.
“Because I’m from the States you don’t grow up with the same understanding of the royal family,” she said. “I didn’t know much about him . . . everything I learnt about him I learnt through him.”
And now she has another royal resource at her disposal – Kate. The duchess can certainly give Meghan plenty of fail-safe tips – such as watching out for those long lenses if you’re considering suntanning topless . . .
Living a stone’s throw from the newlyweds, Kate will be a quick walk away whenever Meghan has questions or just needs a hug or a gossip over a cuppa.
And it seems they’ve already had some bonding time. It was wonderful bringing his bride-to-be home to meet William and Kate, Harry said. “William was longing to meet her and so was Catherine, so you know being our neighbours we managed to get that in quite a few times now. And Catherine has been absolutely . . .”
“Wonderful,” Meghan interjected.
And Kate is certainly happy her younger brother-in-law has finally found lasting love. “William and I are absolutely thrilled,” she told reporters at her first public appearance after the engagement was announced. “It’s such exciting news. It’s a really happy time for any couple and we wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this happy moment.”
IA BUMP DOWN THE RUNGS Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William’s third child will be fifth in line to the throne, bumping Harry to sixth. WILLING WILLIAM The prince – nicknamed Billy the Fish by fellow airman as a pun on his name, William Wales – is set to take up more royal duties. T’S a year of big change for William. Not only will he add another baby to his brood, he’ll be stepping up his full-time royal duties now he’s no longer an air ambulance pilot.
William (35), his wife, Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and the kids will live almost permanently at Kensington Palace in London, leaving the relative peace and quiet of Anmer Hall in Norfolk, their base when Prince George (4) and Princess Charlotte (2) were babies.
“The duke and duchess will continue to increase their official work on behalf of the queen and for the charities and causes they support,” a statement from the palace read after William removed his pilot’s wings.
Expect to see a lot more of the prince giving speeches and making appearances as he focuses his energy on issues close to his heart such as homelessness, bullying, mental health and conservation.
The duke and duchess have come in for some flak from the British public for not performing their fair share of royal duties but that should change in 2018, observers say. Once Kate has recovered from the birth of her third child, of course.
When Kate and William got engaged Harry called her the big sister he never had