ROYALSKate Middleton Expected To Replace Prince Harry As Patron Of The Rugby Football Union One Year After Being Stripped Of Royal Patronages, Sources Reveal
Kate Middleton will reportedly take over one of Prince Harry's former patronages.
As previously reported by OK!, Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, were stripped of their links to royal and military patronages last year. Queen Elizabeth II made the decision after the Sussexes confirmed they would not be returning to their royal duties after stepping back in March 2020.
Insiders told Daily Mail that the Duchess of Cambridge is set to be unveiled as the patron of the Rugby Football Union "imminently." This would make Kate the first royal to take over one of Harry's former roles.
Insiders suspected the monarch did not want to risk antagonizing Harry by handing out one of his former patronages. "People just tread a bit carefully when it comes to them," a source told the publication.
The need for the change was apparently pressing ahead of the Six Nations Championship next week. Now, Kate will be "front and centre" at the upcoming games, an insider reportedly pointed out.
The publication noted the 95-year-old may start to redistribute more of the royal couple's former patronages in the near future, as Harry also lost his links to The Rugby Football League. It is not clear if the title will be passed to his sister-in-law.
In addition, Harry was stripped of his honorary titles as Captain-General of the Royal Marines, Honorary Air Force Commandant of RAF base Honington and Honorary Commodore-in-Chief of Small Ships and Diving of the military. The Suits alum lost her patronages to the National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities.
At the time of the couple's exit from royal life, Buckingham Palace released a statement, noting that the queen confirmed it would not be possible for Meghan and Harry "to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service" after stepping back as senior royals for good.
"While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much-loved members of the family," the statement concluded.
At the time of the decision, Meghan and Harry's spokesperson issued a statement in response. "As evidenced by their work over the past year, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex remain committed to their duty and service to the U.K. and around the world, and have offered their continued support to the organizations they have represented regardless of official role," the statement read. "We can all live a life of service. Service is universal."
