The Princess of Wales was described as the ‘driving force’ behind a major report this week that called on businesses to introduce more family-friendly ways of working.
Yet a spokesman has been keen to stress that Catherine’s involvement should not be seen as an indication that she is returning to work.
The princess’s many admirers could be forgiven a little confusion, perhaps, as the signals seem mixed – and will naturally wonder what’s really going on behind the scenes at Kensington Palace.
It is certainly true that Catherine’s work with the Royal Foundation’s Business Taskforce for Early Childhood, and this latest report, is a sign of her dedication to the subject – ‘a huge priority for the princess’, as her spokesman confirmed.
In the brave and moving video message that she recorded for the nation back in March, the princess pleaded for ‘some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment’
But I believe we should read no more into it than that.
As we know, the princess, 42, is having what was described as ‘preventative chemotherapy’ for cancer, after previously undergoing major abdominal surgery.
She has not undertaken any public engagements this year and friends I spoke to in the past few days suggest we might not see Catherine again until the autumn – and only then if she has recovered fully.
In the brave and moving video message that she recorded for the nation back in March, the princess pleaded for ‘some time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment’.
She added: ‘My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.’
And it is that focus which continues to take priority.
Indeed, other aspects of the work she shares with Prince William have been put on hold.
Take, for example, the planned appointment of someone to run the Waleses’ household.
I disclosed in my social diary, Eden Confidential, last September that William and Catherine planned to create a new role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who would be responsible for about 60 staff.
The new boss would report directly to the royal couple and – notably – would not answer to the private secretaries who have long held power behind the scenes at the royal Palaces.
‘This is a revolutionary move,’ a source told me, a little excitedly, at the time. ‘They are overthrowing the traditional, hierarchical structure in which staff answer to private secretaries.’
Kensington Palace duly hired a high-powered recruitment firm, Odgers Berndtson, to find the best candidate and an advertisement was placed online which stressed the unprecedented nature of the position.
The search for a CEO has now been suspended, however. As a palace spokesman explained: ‘With everything going on, the Royal Household’s focus is on the Princess’s recovery, so no appointment has been made.’
Although the prince and princess have often carried out 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, working closely together.
And, as the postponement of such a key appointment shows, big decisions must wait until Catherine is recovered.
In March, Kensington Palace released the first picture of the Princess of Wales since surgery
The London clinic, where Catherine had treatment after her diagnosis earlier this year
‘No one wants to put any pressure on Catherine,’ a source tells me. ‘The only thing that matters at the moment is her getting better. She has been through an ordeal this year.
‘What this means in practice is that big decisions, such as the appointment of new staff, can wait.
‘It’s a reflection of Her Royal Highness’s importance to the future of the Monarchy that she has been given as much time as she needs.’
King Charles very much wanted to be seen by the public while he was undergoing his own cancer treatment – but this has not been the case for his daughter-in-law, however disappointing that might be for her admirers.
‘As Sovereign, His Majesty is in a very different position from the Princess of Wales,’ says the source. ‘There is no need for her to be seen while she’s recovering.’
And that is not a position that is about to change – despite the persistent online trolling of Catherine, which has regrettably increased in recent weeks.
To sign up for Richard Eden’s weekly newsletter, click on this link