As heir to the throne, Prince William is a key part of the Royal Family and will likely undertake many of King Charles’ duties as he undergoes treatment for an unspecified form of cancer, which was announced by The Palace on Monday, February 5.
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The Prince of Wales had stepped back from Royal duties for a short period after his wife, Princess Kate underwent abdominal surgery. She is now resting at home but won’t be working until Easter at least.
Prince William is now back to his regular duties and attended several events this past week. As he returns, Kensington Palace announced a new hire for the Prince of Wales. Indeed, Prince William has appointed a new private secretary.
Prince William back in action
As reported by Sky News, Prince William attended two events this week. First, he hosted an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday, February 7, second, he attended London's Air Ambulance charity gala dinner on the same day.
As the Royal Family has been dealing with several health issues recently, Prince William took the time to thank everyone for their kind messages and he admitted that the recent weeks have been ‘medial focused'.
As per Sky News, Prince William said:
I'd like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days.
It's fair to say the past few weeks have had a rather 'medical' focus. So I thought I'd come to an air ambulance function to get away from it all.
Prince William will likely be taking a more important role within The Firm as his father goes through cancer treatment. This means he will be undergoing more public duties. Moreover, once Princess Kate has fully recovered from her abdominal surgery, she will likely attend more public engagements as well to help support the King.
As Prince William returns to public duties, Kensington Palace announced on Friday, February 9, that the Prince of Wales has appointed a new private secretary, Ian Patrick.
Who is Prince William’s new private secretary, Ian Patrick?
As per The Telegraph, Prince William has hired Ian Patrick as his new private secretary. Ian Patrick is a former diplomat and has received an MBE for his work on international peacekeeping.
Ian Patrick has worked for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office for 8 years and was also a geopolitical consultant. From 2002 to 2006, Ian Patrick worked in international peacekeeping in Bosnia and Herzegovina under Liberal Democrat leader Lord Paddy Ashdown.
Not only is Prince William’s new private secretary a former diplomat, but he also does charity work, indeed he is a trustee for Crohn's and Colitis UK, two of the most common inflammatory bowel diseases.
According to The Telegraph, Princess Kate will also have her own private secretary and a new role has been created before King Charles’ diagnosis was announced. Indeed, Prince William and Princess Kate will have a chief executive, which is yet to be filled.
Read more:
⋙ Prince William and Kate’s live-in nanny will be key to Kate’s recovery, who is Maria Borrallo?
⋙ King Charles' cancer diagnosis prompts Prince Harry to return to the UK
Sources used:
Sky News: ‘Prince of Wales appoints ex-diplomat as private secretary’
The Telegraph: ‘Prince of Wales hires diplomat as he steps up responsibilities’
