Duchess Kate Starts Taking Over Prince Harry Royal Patronages
The Duchess of Cambridge will allegedly become the first royal to take on one patronage of Prince Harry as she becomes the patron of English Rugby.
Insider sources claim Kate is due to be unveiled as the patron of the Rugby Football Union âimminentlyâ, which puts her in direct competition with the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, none other than her own husband Prince William.
Although Prince Harry reportedly enjoyed his role as vice-patron since 2010 and patron after taking over from the Queen in 2016, even reportedly going on an alleged 25-hour drinking session after the 2007 World Cup loss, after he and Meghan confirmed they will not be returning as working royals he was forced to step down from the position.
This marks the first time a member of the Royal Family has taken over a patronage from the Sussexes, as per the palaceâs statement, released last February, which said their âhonorary military appointments and royal patronagesâ will be âreturned to Her Majesty before being redistributedâ.
However there was no time to spare, with the Six Nations Championship Rugby coming up, the need for a figurehead was urgent and sources say that Kate will be âfront and centreâ at the event.
This development comes as no surprise, the Duchess is one of the sportier members of the Royal Family and she already holds the patronage for the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
The Sussexes on the other hand will be handing back even more such as Harryâsex-military affiliations, his presidency of the Queenâs Commonwealth Trust and the London Marathon Charitable Trust. Meghan has also handed back patronages with the Royal National Theatre and the Association of Commonwealth Universities, as well as her vice presidency of the Queenâs Commonwealth Trust.