Operation Comeback Kate: Inside secret back-to-work plan for Princess's return to public life
19 March 2024, 11:13
Kensington Palace is accelerating plans for Kate's return to royal duties now she has been seen visiting her favourite farm shop near Windsor.
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Aides believe the earlier she can be seen in public, the sooner it will put an end to the cruel rumours that have surrounded her health since she went into hospital for abdominal surgery in January.
A team featuring Kate and Prince William's closest aides, their communications team and former palace staff members are being consulted as part of the top secret project.
An insider told The Mirror: "The teams are working round the clock to devise the Princess of Wales's back-to-work plan after weeks of immense pressure.
"They all know that the world will be watching after weeks of heightened speculation and often outlandish commentary on social media."
Read More: Smiling Kate spotted on shopping trip with William as she continues recovery from surgery
Read More: Kate's return? Princess could take part in traditional Easter Sunday walk to church with family
The paper reports that two former aides, known for being “well-established public relations experts” have been consulted by the team. One of them is her new private secretary, Lt Col Tom White, who joined the royal team in January.
He previously served as an equerry to the late Queen Elizabeth II from November 2020 until her death in September 2022.
William's new private secretary, former diplomat Ian Patrick, who previously worked for former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown, is also part of the senior team.
Today, The Sun published footage of Kate at the Windsor Farm Shop walking quickly with a bag of shopping and chatting animatedly to her husband on Saturday afternoon.
One royal source told the Telegraph: "Finally everyone can calm down".
Kensington Palace has said the princess would not return to royal duties until after Easter.
Conversations have taken place for her to join her family and other senior royals at church on Easter Sunday.
Other reports have suggested Kate, 42, may not take part in any public engagements until after April 17, when her children go back to Lambrook School, near Ascot, Berkshire, following the holidays.
The plan follows the furore over the release by Kensington Palace of a edited of Kate and their three children to celebrate Mother’s Day.
Read More: Kate Middleton lookalike says conspiracies about Princess of Wales have 'gone too far' and must stop
Kate confessed and apologised for editing the photograph after six of the world's biggest picture agencies deleted it from libraries, saying the picture had been “manipulated.”
Against the backdrop of the King's cancer diagnosis, the drama has created a febrile atmosphere of gossip and conjecture around the Royal Family.
Sources close to the Wales' have told the Mail they have found the speculation hugely hurtful and hard to deal with, but were determined to focus on what was important to them - their family and the princess' recovery.
