Kate Middleton Will Reportedly Replace Prince Harry As Patron Of The Rugby Football Union
According to a report, Kate Middleton will take over one of Prince Harry's patronages, making her the first royal to claim one of his old titles.
Out with old and in with the new: according to the Daily Mail, Kate Middleton is set to take over Prince Harry's role as a patron of the Rugby Football Union.
The change will reportedly happen "imminently," and it will make the Duchess of Cambridge the first member of the royal family to take one of Harry's patronages.
The mom-of-three's new role will pit her against husband Prince William, who became a patron of their competitors, the Welsh Rugby Union, in 2016. In fact, the teams are set to play each other in late February.
"They are famously competitive with each other and this will be no different," a source shared of the situation. "Probably even more so now that they have an invested interest in the outcome of the game."
Harry was forced to relinquish his patronages when he and Meghan Markle confirmed that they would be permanently giving up their roles within the royal family.
"Following conversations with the Duke, the Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of the royal family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service," read a statement from the palace. "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."
Harry and his wife were clearly upset by Queen Elizabeth's actions, as they issued their own response, noting they will "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.”
"We can all live a life of service," they added. "Service is universal."
Their reply didn't sit well with the royals, with one insider claiming that William found it "insulting and disrespectful. [He's] very upset by what has happened. You don't answer the Queen back — it's just not done."
