As the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, continues to focus on her health and recovery following major abdominal surgery and preventative chemotherapy, a PR expert has called upon other non-working members of the Royal Family to step up and support Prince William and the monarchy. Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Zara Tindall, and Lady Louise Windsor have been tipped to "pick up the slack" and help shoulder the responsibilities of royal tours and engagements.
Laura Perkes, a PR strategist and reputation manager, spoke to GB News, explaining, "With the health of Princess Catherine, it's important for other members of the family like Zara, Beatrice, Eugenie and Louise to pick up some slack. As a result, William and Catherine will not have to shoulder all the responsibility for royal tours and engagements."
Princess Kate, 42, faced serious health concerns earlier this year when she underwent major abdominal surgery in January, requiring a 13-day hospitalization at The London Clinic before returning home to Adelaide Cottage. The mother-of-three later announced that she had begun a course of preventative chemotherapy after tests revealed the presence of cancer. Consequently, the princess has stepped back from public life until she has fully recovered, with Prince William initially stepping back to support his wife before beginning a slow and staggered return to royal life.
Zara Tindall, 43, Princess Beatrice, 35, Princess Eugenie, 34, and Lady Louise Windsor, 20, are not currently working members of the Royal Family, despite being King Charles' nieces. However, many commentators have suggested that the older three, Zara, Beatrice, and Eugenie, take up royal duties, especially while Kate is away from the public eye.
The trio recently joined their cousin, Prince William, at a well-received Buckingham Palace Garden Party last month. Princess Eugenie shared her enthusiasm for supporting her family on Instagram, telling her 1.8 million followers, "Come rain or shine, I was delighted to support my family yesterday."
A royal insider told Woman's Day, "Bea and Eugenie can't imagine what William is going through right now and it was nothing short of an honour for them to give him some support. The York sisters were determined to not let him down."
The princesses' eagerness to step up and help William and King Charles, who is also undergoing cancer treatment, has not gone unnoticed. "They're overjoyed to be unofficially back in the fold and taking a more prominent role in the royal family," the source continued. "Beatrice has been flawless recently and the fact the palace greenlit her first TV interview last month indicates how she's earned their trust."
While Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have long had a close bond with their cousin, Prince Harry, their recent actions seem to indicate a shift in loyalty towards Prince William. The royal insider explained, "They've not had any contact with Harry all year - everyone's focus right now is on getting Kate and William through this crisis. Harry and his dramas are so far down the priority list."
As reports suggest that Prince William isn't a fan of his father's "slimmed-down monarchy," the stage is set for Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice to play a more prominent role within the Royal Family. "Bringing back Beatrice and Eugenie makes sense right now - they're always fun and can handle any situation with class," the insider noted. "William can see what an asset they are and he's looking ahead to the future."
Lady Louise Windsor, the daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, is currently a student at the University of St Andrews and would not undertake any official duties until after graduation, should she choose to perform royal engagements.
