The Princess of Wales was described as the “driving force” behind a major report this week calling on businesses to introduce more family-friendly ways of working.
However, a spokesperson wanted to emphasize that Catherine’s involvement should No be seen as an indication that she is returning to work.
The princess’s many admirers could be forgiven for a little confusion, perhaps, as the signs seem contradictory and they will naturally wonder what is really going on behind the scenes at Kensington Palace.
It is certainly true that Catherine’s work with the Royal Foundation’s Early Childhood Business Working Group and this latest report are a sign of her dedication to the issue – “a huge priority for the princess”, as her spokesperson confirmed.
In the brave and moving video message she recorded for the nation in March, the princess asked for “some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.”
But I don’t think we should read more than that.
As we know, the princess, 42, is receiving what was described as “preventive chemotherapy” against cancer, after previously undergoing major abdominal surgery.
She has not made any public commitments this year and friends I have spoken to in recent days suggest that we may not see Catherine again until the autumn, and only then if she has fully recovered.
In the brave and moving video message she recorded for the nation in March, the princess asked for “some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment.”
He added: “My job has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I hope to return when I can, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.”
And it is that approach that continues to take priority.
In fact, other aspects of the work she shares with Prince William have been put on hold.
Take, for example, the planned appointment of someone to lead the House of Welsh.
Last September I revealed in my social diary, Eden Confidential, that William and Catherine were planning to create a new chief executive officer (CEO) role, which would be responsible for around 60 employees.
The new boss would report directly to the royal couple and, in particular, would not answer to the private secretaries who have long held power behind the scenes in royal palaces.
“This is a revolutionary move,” a source told me, a little excitedly, at the time. “They are breaking down the traditional hierarchical structure in which staff report to private secretaries.”
Kensington Palace duly hired a powerful recruitment firm, Odgers Berndtson, to find the best candidate and an advert was placed online highlighting the unprecedented nature of the role.
However, the search for a CEO has been suspended. As a palace spokesperson explained: “With everything that is happening, the Royal Household’s attention is on the Princess’s recovery, so no appointment has been made.”
Although the prince and princess have often held separate engagements and pursued different interests, they are very much a team.
Their charity is the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, remember, and they have joint offices and work closely together.
And, as the postponement of such a key appointment demonstrates, big decisions must wait until Catherine recovers.
In March, Kensington Palace released the first photograph of the Princess of Wales since her surgery.
The London clinic where Catherine received treatment following her diagnosis earlier this year.
“No one wants to put pressure on Catherine,” a source tells me. ‘The only thing that matters right now is that she gets better. This year she has gone through a tough test.
‘In practice, this means that important decisions, such as the appointment of new employees, can wait.
“It is a reflection of His Royal Highness’s importance to the future of the Monarchy that he has been given all the time he needs.”
King Charles was keen to be seen by the public while undergoing his own cancer treatment, but this has not been the case for his daughter-in-law, however disappointing it may be for her fans.
“As Sovereign, Her Majesty is in a very different position to that of the Princess of Wales,” the source says. “You don’t need to watch her while she recovers.”
And that’s not a position that’s about to change, despite persistent online trolling against Catherine, which has sadly increased in recent weeks.
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