Kate Middleton to step-up for royal family after Prince Harry’s exit

Kate Middleton will take on several royal duties left behind by Prince Harry after he quit the Firm and moved to the US.

Kate Middleton is expected to take on two of Prince Harry’s official patronages after the Duke of Sussex quit as a working member of the monarchy and was stripped of his titles by the Queen.

The Duchess of Cambridge will reportedly take on the honorary roles as patron of England Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Rugby Football League (RFL).

The patronages, which were previously held by Prince Harry, 36, are expected to be announced before the rugby league World Cup in October and November, according to The Times.

Prince Harry was stripped of his royal patronages by the Queen in February after it was confirmed that he and Meghan Markle would step back as working royals.

Kate has a keen interest in sport, playing tennis and hockey from a young age, and is a firm rugby supporter as well, watching England games with the Middleton family before her marriage to Prince William in 2011.

Prince Harry’s memoir is causing great concern for the Queen. Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage

The Duke of Sussex recently revealed he would be writing a tell-all book about growing up as a royal, his relationship with Meghan and explosive fallout from the couple’s move to the US.

While the Queen herself is likely to avoid being criticised by her grandson, other members of the royal family such as Prince Charles and Prince William have been warned to prepare for attacks, according to a report in The Sun.

but the person the Queen is actually most “worried” about is Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the Daily Mail reported.

“Let’s be honest, Harry has never been close to the Duchess of Cornwall, the sources was reported as saying.

“If he documents their fraught relationship in the book it could be very damaging at a time when Charles is laying the groundwork for her to become Queen.”

Prince Harry’s book will reportedly cover his life, from his childhood, through his years in the army, to his move away from royal life.

“I’m writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become,” announced the Duke of Sussex in the Penguin Random House press release last week.

“I’ve worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story – the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned – I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think.

It was not the actual book itself that made headlines but how the royal family would react – or as it appears, not react.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment when contacted by People, announcing: “Any clarification about the book would be a question for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.”

QUEEN’S BRUTAL STRATEGY TO STOP HARRY BACKLASH

But royal insiders claim the Queen is refusing to buy into the drama around the couple.

Instead of fighting back against The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, the Queen will instead deprive the pair of the one thing they appear to crave more than anything else – publicity, The Sun reports.

Royal expert Ingrid Seward told the Express that the Queen was not intending to strip Harry and Meghan of their titles.

“I don’t think removing the titles would make much difference and it would look very petty,” Seward said, per The Sun.

Revealing a more likely plan to protect the Royal Family, Seward added. “I also don’t think it is something the Queen would want to do at this stage of her reign. It would be far more insulting just to ignore them.”

The Queen isn’t involving herself in any drama surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, a royal commentator claims. Picture: Getty Images

“Even excluding them from the jubilee next year gives them ammunition to criticise the monarchy.”

It came as another royal expert claimed that Prince Harry and Meghan will have to reveal even more about their personal lives if they want to continue to cash in on their royal ties.

The Megxit couple left the royal family in January last year in a bid to have a more private life. But since leaving “the Firm” they’ve been more public than ever, participating in a bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey while signing mega deals with Spotify, Netflix and a recent $A54 million book deal for Harry’s tell-all.

Royal expert Emily Andrews has said in a new documentary the Sussexes will have to unveil even more of their “private moments” to fuel their royal brand in the US.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have financially cashed in on their royal ties in the US but how long will it last? Picture: Getty Images

In the British documentary, Meghan at 40: The Climb to Power, she explained that the couple have to “remind” people that they are still royal.

“Because of the royal brand they can get all these multimillion dollar deals but the problem with that is they have to keep reminding everyone that they’re royal and to do so that involves giving more and more away,” Ms Andrews said.

“They have to talk about more private moments.

“Harry and Meghan has consistently argued that they don’t have sufficient privacy, that they’re lives are difficult and burdensome because of the glare of the media,” royal historian Ed Owens added.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle continue to use their royal connections despite wanting out. Picture: Getty Images

“Then they go to the US and this narrative continues until they suddenly open up about everything by agreeing to an interview with Oprah Winfrey.”

“Suddenly this idea of privacy goes completely out of the window.

“Instead they are opening up very publicly knowing that millions of people are going to see and get a glimpse of the inside story behind the separation of Harry and Meghan and the house of Windsor.”

Meanwhile, royal courtiers are reportedly braced for a string of bombshell allegations in Prince Harry’s book, which is due to be published next year, according to a report in The Sun.

The Duke of Sussex last week announced he would be releasing a memoir next year in which he will recount “experiences, adventures, losses, and life lessons”.

Prince Harry’s exit from the royal family has left his brother, Prince William, to carry the load. Picture: AFP

But a small band of staffers who worked for the couple before they exited the royal family are now said to be concerned about the book, the Daily Mail reported.

“Harry and Meghan’s former staff members are convinced that this book is being written to settle scores,” a royal insider reportedly told the outlet.

“Based on the Oprah Winfrey interview, some of these ex-workers simply do not trust that a full and accurate picture will be presented.

“Conversations have already started about what steps they might be able to take to protect their own reputation.”

– with The Sun

Originally published as Kate Middleton to step-up for royal family after Prince Harry’s exit