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Kate to take on ‘greater roles’ in 2026 to support King Charles

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Kate Middleton is set to take on ‘greater roles’ within the monarchy in 2026, according to royal experts. The Princess of Wales, who turns 44 on Friday, has had quite a milestone year. From continuing her return to public life following her cancer remission, to her and Prince William moving their family into their ‘forever home’ of Forest Lodge, it was also revealed that the couple are preparing to make ‘significant changes’ to the royal family. (Picture: Getty Images)

The latter is something that royal experts are honing in on. Katie Nicholl, Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent, recently told OK! magazine that ‘for anyone who has been through the devastation of a cancer diagnosis, another year of life is cause for celebration.’ Nicholl called Kate an ‘incredibly positive and optimistic person,’ and spotlighted that the way she navigated her illness ‘only added to everyone’s admiration and respect for her.’ The expert then added that, as Kate celebrates her birthday, ‘she’ll be looking to the future and hopefully leaving the difficult past couple of years behind her.’ (Picture: Getty Images)

As for her role within the monarchy, Kate has shown strength in balancing her royal duties and stepping up as future Queen with motherhood. Together, Kate and William share Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven. Nicholl said that her illness, coupled with her family always coming first, has given her a ‘new perspective on life.’ (Picture: Getty Images)

Royal author Hugo Vickers expanded on this, also sharing with OK! that Kate is the ‘star of the royal family.’ Plus, he revealed that with Prince Harry and the former Prince Andrew now ‘off the scene,’ the monarchy is much smaller and more streamlined than ever before. This is something that experts say will help ‘modernise the monarchy,’ which is reportedly another of Kate and William’s future plans. Vickers added: ‘We really need Catherine.’ (Picture: Getty Images)

In terms of Kate and King Charles’ relationship, the pair are said to have bonded over their cancer journeys. The king was diagnosed with a form of cancer in February 2024 and has since returned to public life. In December 2025, he announced that his treatment schedule was set to be reduced and moved to a ‘precautionary phase’ due to his positive response. However, in 2026, it is thought that both Kate and William will take on ‘greater’ roles to support the monarch’s workload — and to further prepare them for life on the throne. (Picture: Getty Images)

This includes their coveted Royal Warrants of Appointment title, which King Charles granted the couple late last year. The new role, which gives them the authority to publicly endorse their favourite brands (but only ones that have supplied the Royal Household with ‘products or services on a regular and ongoing basis’ for at least five of the last seven years), will officially begin in Spring 2026. (Picture: Getty Images)

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Elsewhere, Vickers predicted that Kate will focus on ‘duties where she can really make a positive contribution, such as the work she does at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London.’ Kate is a joint royal patron alongside her husband. Her role is to support cancer research and care, meet with patients and staff, and share her own experiences as a cancer survivor to raise awareness. Vickers continued: ‘Both she and William are slightly veering away from more formal ribbon-cutting events, in favour of doing things that enable them to engage with people a bit more.’ (Picture: Getty Images)

Finally, Nicholl added that, almost two years after the Princess’s diagnosis, that chapter of her life is ‘starting to feel more like a thing of the past.’ She also said the experience is something she has ‘moved on from with great courage, bravery and success,’ and there’s ‘a sense that this is a new, happier chapter’ for Kate. (Picture: Getty Images)

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