Kate Middleton to replace Prince Harry 'imminently' in royal patronage
Prince Harry was stripped of all his royal patronages last year after confirming he and Meghan Markle would be staying in the US


Kate Middleton has been tipped to replace Prince Harry as the patron of English rugby, making her the first Royal Family member to take over one of the Duke of Sussex's stripped roles.
- Kate Middleton is tipped to become the first royal to take over one of Prince Harry's former patronages after the Duke of Sussex was stripped of his charitable duties last year.
- The Duchess of Cambridge is expected to replace Prince Harry as the patron of English rugby ahead of the highly-anticipated Six Nations 2022 next week.
- In other royal news, here's the adorable way the Queen ‘shows her love’ to the Cambridge children on sleepovers.
The Duchess of Cambridge is expected to become the English rugby patron 'imminently', nearly one year after the Queen stripped Harry of the prestigious role.
It's understood that Kate, who already holds 20 patronages to both charities and military organizations, has been chosen as the Duke of Sussex's replacement because of her excellent track record as a working royal—as well as her personal interest in the traditional English sport.
The 40-year-old has always been a fan of rugby, having watched countless matches with her parents, Michael and Carole Middleton, and two siblings, Pippa and James, growing up in Reading.
The exciting new job will also see her go head-to-head with her husband, Prince William, who is currently the patron of the Welsh rugby team.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex lost their royal patronages in February 2021 once it became clear that they could no longer continue their duties to the British monarchy from their new home in California.
The couple controversially stepped back as senior royals in January 2020 and emigrated to the US with their son, Archie, sending shockwaves through the Royal Family. Despite hopes that they would be allowed to fulfill their royal responsibilities from across the Atlantic, they were unable to reach a negotiation and were ultimately forced to give up all of their patronages.
Sign up for the woman&home newsletter
Sign up to our free daily email for the latest royal and entertainment news, interesting opinion, expert advice on styling and beauty trends, and no-nonsense guides to the health and wellness questions you want answered.
In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, it was revealed that Harry and Meghan had "confirmed to Her Majesty the Queen that they will not be returning as working members of the royal family" and it would therefore be impossible for them to "continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service."
"The honorary military appointments and royal patronages held by the duke and duchess will therefore be returned to Her Majesty, before being redistributed among working members of the royal family," it went on. "While all are saddened by their decision, the duke and duchess remain much-loved members of the family."
With the Six Nations Championship set to commence on Saturday, 5 February 2022, it looks like the pressure was heating up to fill the empty slot left by Prince Harry.
Kate is expected to play a 'front and center' role in the event, which suggests she'll be making at least one appearance at the exciting games. It's also understood that she plans to raise awareness of England Rugby's 'Inner Warrior' campaign, an initiative that aims to attract more girls and women to the male-dominated sport.

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.
Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.
-
The Handmaid's Tale: Does June get Hannah back at the end of season 6?
It's been June's endgame from the very first moments of The Handmaid's Tale, but will she be reunited with her daughter Hannah at the end of season 6?
By Lucy Wigley
-
My decades-long quest for the perfect pillow ends here, but forget what you think you know about memory foam
Packed full of tiny pieces of shredded memory foam with a dual-sided cover to keep you cool, this is the next best thing to sleeping on a cloud
By Heidi Scrimgeour
-
Remember when Prince William and Kate Middleton broke royal protocol at Easter? Here's why it's unlikely to happen again
The Royal Family might be taking a more modern approach these days, but there are some traditions and protocols that they still uphold.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton's go-to bag for special occasions is a wedding season essential you'll reach for time and time again
The Princess of Wales always reaches for the same elegant style of bag for formal events and it works beautifully for weddings.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Kate Middleton declares baker boy hats back for 2025 in new Love Actually-esque outfit
The Princess of Wales's signature style is all about timelessness but that doesn’t mean that she never gets on board with trends.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Prince George will start a new school this year and 'smart money' is on Kate and William choosing this one, says royal expert
Prince George only has just over a year left at Lambrook School and Emily Andrews believes there's a top contender for his next one.
By Emma Shacklock
-
Queen Camilla takes note of Kate Middleton's love of polka dots with charming collared number in Rome
If we had to pick the Princess of Wales’s favourite print it would be polka dots and Queen Camilla just emulated her style in Rome.
By Emma Shacklock
-
James Middleton says he 'had three mothers growing up' as he opens up on close-knit family bond
The Princess of Wales’s brother had several 'mothering figures' during his childhood and was 'fortunate' to have this tightknit support system.
By Emma Shacklock
-
We're surprised Meghan Markle just wore an £18 spring knit - and even more surprised it's still in stock
Meghan Markle never fails to look put-together and she’s shared a video that proves her off-duty outfits are just as elegant.
By Emma Shacklock
-
What earrings does Kate Middleton wear? The affordable brands she loves and where to buy her pieces
The Princess of Wales gravitates towards certain brands for her everyday earrings and many of them are still available right now.
By Emma Shacklock