Kate Middleton Moving Up? Queen Passes Patronage Assignments To Kate, Hosts Christmas Lunch For Royals
Kate Middleton is stepping up to her role as future queen of England. Her husband, Prince William, is second in line to the throne after his father, Prince Charles, and Queen Elizabeth isn’t getting any younger. The monarch turned 90 years old in 2016 and ascended the throne in 1952, after her father, King George VI, died from lung cancer.
Queen Elizabeth has always had a firm hand on the reins of the royal household, and has never shirked her duty or handed over any responsibilities that she believed were better carried out by her royal self. Now, it looks like Her Majesty is feeling the strain of her 90 years.
The Mirror reports that the monarch has decided to share some of her duties, and to “pass the baton of a chunk of her charity work” to her granddaughter-in-law, Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, and other younger royals.
“It’s an inevitable course of action when retirement is not an option.”
Middleton has proved herself worthy with her unflappable cool, her support for Prince William, and her Princess Diana-like devotion to young Prince George and Princess Charlotte. She’s also a commoner, and one of the most popular members of the royal family, right up there with brother-in-law, Prince Harry,
Stuff reports that Kate will specifically be taking on the patronage of Wimbledon, which is a perfect starting point for the duchess since “she is said to be a keen tennis fan.” There will be plenty more jobs coming her way as the Queen continues “to delegate duties” to Middleton, Prince William, and the other royals.
According to the BBC, Buckingham Palace said that this is just the beginning of a process to help lighten the load and it is “an acknowledgement of advancing age.” The monarch can’t keep up to the hundreds of engagements that come with the patronages, but Duchess Kate is well able to take on more.
The only problem will come when Middleton is pregnant and suffering through morning sickness as she did during her first two pregnancies.
There’s also no question of the Queen resigning or abdicating in favor of Prince Charles. She will continue to reign over her country and her family. As part of that role, the monarch hosted her traditional Christmas lunch today at the Palace.
Although Middleton, William, and their children will not attend the Christmas Day festivities at Sandringham with the rest of the royals, they made sure to show up for the Queen’s lunch.
William actually drove Kate, George, and Harry to the Palace, and the announcement of Kate’s Wimbledon job was made to coincide with the royal gathering.
E! News reports that the monarch traditionally hosts the Christmas lunch to signal the beginning of her Christmas holiday. William, Middleton, and the rest of the family gather at Buckingham Palace for a last chat before the Queen and Prince Philip leave for some time off at their private Sandringham Estate.
Most years, they will all see each other within a few days as they head to Sandringham for Christmas Day, but this year is a bit different. Kate and William are taking George and Charlotte to Christmas at the Middleton’s.
Carole and Mike Middleton will host a magical Christmas party for their daughters, Kate and Pippa Middleton, as well as Pippa’s fiance, James Matthews, Kate’s husband, William, and little George and Charlotte.
[Featured Image by Dominic Lipinski – WPA Pool/Getty Images]
