Is Queen’s top aide grooming Kate for a greater royal role?

IS THE glossy- haired Duchess of Cambridge being given extra grooming as Team Windsor steps up its royal duties following Prince Philip’s retirement?

Kate’s retinue as she embarked on her solo tour of Luxembourg this week included the Queen’s most trusted courtier, private secretary Sir Christopher Geidt. The twice-knighted flunkey, 55, is held in such high esteem that he broke the news of the Duke’s retirement to shocked Palace staff last week.

Kate is taking on more of the Queen’s duties and, last December, succeeded her as patron of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at Wimbledon.

No doubt bullet-headed ex-Army officer Geidt, whom colleagues privately say looks like horror actor Boris Karloff, will be able to serve up plenty of advice.