Kate is the royals’ secret weapon

After her recent solo visits to the National Portrait Gallery and the opening night of 42nd Street, the duchess will take on another solo engagement next month when she visits Luxembourg to commemorate the 1867 Treaty of London as part of the royals’ charm offensive in the wake of Brexit.

Although Prince William accompanied Kate on their trip to Paris soon after the skiing scandal broke, it would be understandable if Kate had pushed to attend Luxembourg alone, in a bid to allow the dust to settle on his error of judgement.

‘Kate is seen as the royals’ secret weapon to win back public approval,’ explains our insider. ‘She comes across as sober and hardworking, never letting the side down – which is just what they need.’

The royal couple then have a series of official engagements together, including visits to Germany and Poland in July, as the Foreign Office view them as crucial levers of ‘soft power’ for the Government.

And with the duke and duchess playing such a vital role in European diplomacy going forward, Kate has laid out strict instructions that William is forbidden to do anything that could sully their chances of being taken seriously.

‘They have worked so hard to get away from all the workshy allegations that really wound them up, and then this happened. It’s a PR disaster,’ explains our source. ‘Kate really thought Wills had calmed down and given up the boys-only behaviour. She has warned him not to mess up again, to keep his head down and above all to behave.’

‘Kate thought WILLS had calmed down’