HEIR FOR HER
Kate Middleton’s closest ally lands top Palace job after standing by Princess during cancer treatment
Natasha has been hailed as Kate's 'pillar of strength' with her cancer treatment
KATE Middleton has thanked her closest ally for her “loyalty” by promoting her to a key position at Kensington Palace.
The Princess of Wales, 42, has appointed Natasha Archer to the new role of senior private executive assistant to her and husband Prince William.
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Natasha updated her LinkedIn page last week to reflect her new royal role.
Previously, the 36-year-old worked as Kate’s PA and stylist, and has been a “pillar of strength” for the royal as she undergoes preventative cancer treatment.
Earlier this year, Natasha was one of the few people seen leaving the London Clinic, where Kate was staying following her abdominal operation in January.
She is said to have been assisting Kate as she travels to and from hospital appointments and is inseparable from the royal mum-of-three.
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A source told the “Natasha deserves this boost – she's unfailingly discreet and loyal to Kate.
“The salary boost will be welcome too. This appointment means we can expect to see Natasha by Kate's side for years to come.
“It seems to be Kate's way of thanking her for her loyalty.”
Natasha has worked with the Princess of Wales since 2007 and is said to be available night and day as a listening ear.
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Kate announced the "huge shock" of her cancer diagnosis back in March, and hasn’t undertaken public engagements since Christmas.
Royal biographer Claudia Joseph, author of Kate: The Making of a Princess, told Fabulous: “Natasha has been at Kate’s side since she joined the Royal family and will be a tower of strength for her as she fights her battle against cancer.
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“She was one of a handful of people who visited the Princess at the London Clinic, and is, no doubt, available to her day and night, whenever she wants a chat.
“Natasha, who is five years younger than Kate, has been in the Princess’s orbit for more than 13 years and has witnessed all the key events in her life: she has been at her side for Royal weddings, births and overseas tours, she visited Kate at the Lindo Wing, at London’s St Mary’s Hospital, after the birth of her children.”
The former stylist - who is married to royal photographer Chris Jackson - largely keeps out of the public eye and is said to have a lot in common with Kate.
Claudia continued: “The couple, who wed in 2017 at a medieval mansion near Bordeaux, are naturally discreet so they fit in with William and Kate’s ethos.
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“The two women share a close bond as they have a lot in common: they both went to boarding schools, share a love of art and fashion, and are mothers - Natasha’s oldest son Theo is just a few months younger than Prince Louis.”
According to Grazia, the Queen requested that Natasha was hired as Kate’s stylist to make her wardrobe look “regal”.
A source said at the time: “Natasha’s main role is as a PA, but over the last few months she has assisted Kate as a style adviser.
“Natasha and Kate get on very well. She has always supported and advised Kate - and the Duchess loves Natasha’s style, so it seemed like an obvious appointment.”
Natasha has been responsible for some of Kate’s most iconic fashion looks, with Claudia adding that she has encouraged Kate to “experiment with her wardrobe and transform her from Sloane Ranger to style icon.”
Natasha deserves this boost – she's unfailingly discreet and loyal to Kate
Mail source
The royal biographer added: “It is she who introduced Kate to the designer Jenny Packham, who is one of her favourites, and she who persuaded her to try shorter hemlines, culottes and wide-legged trousers.
“She scours websites for the latest trends, ordering in clothes, ironing the Royal wardrobe and dragging around her wheelie suitcase.
“She has even been known to touch up Kate’s make-up on the plane and reputedly helped William spruce up his wardrobe after he was criticised for looking like an ‘estate agent’. “Apparently, she got rid of his white Asics trainers.”
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
JAN 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
JAN 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate's bedside
JAN 23: The princess' hospital stay passes one week
JAN 29: Kate leaves hospital
FEB 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to 'personal matter', sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
MAR 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother's Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out 'kill notice' on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
MAR 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
In December 2018, she was rewarded for her service and was invited to become a Member of the Royal Victoria Order.
For the occasion she donned a £250 polka dot midi dress by one of Kate’s favourite brands, LK Bennett.
Princess Kate recently sent a heart-warming letter to the Irish Guards to apologise for missing the Colonel's Review amid her cancer recovery.
The regiment - of which the royal is Colonel-in-Chief - shared a video on X showing the note being read out to troops as they prepared for their precursor to Trooping the Colour.
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She said her role as Colonel "remains a great honour", adding: "I am very sorry that I’m unable to take the salute at this year’s Colonel’s Review."
It is a major hint that she will miss the main ceremony on June 15 entirely - though there is a chance she could watch it from the Buckingham Palace balcony and not take an active role.
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Prince William is a pillar of strength for Kate Middleton
EXPERT analysis by author and royal expert, Ingrid Seward.
Steadfast when his family needed him, William has proved himself as a man and future monarch of strength and compassion.
While he might not have been present during Kate’s courageous video address — make no mistake, he has been by her side every step of the way.
William has stepped up with school-run duties and provided a “great source of comfort and reassurance” to his wife.
But he has also been a comforting and reassuring presence for the public.
From leading members of the Royal Family at the Commonwealth Day Service to enjoying cheerful banter with youngsters on a youth centre visit, he hasn’t put a foot wrong.
Even then there were few chinks in his facade — but Kate was clearly on his mind.
“She needs to be sat here to hear this,” he smiled when the discussion turned to the challenges of young families.
But ultimately he is only human.
To have your father and your wife diagnosed with cancer in such quick succession is heart-shattering.
It’s a remarkable insight into the character of this young man that he has been so incredibly brave.
Theirs is a very private turmoil which has been brought into the public arena by the nature of their roles as future King and Queen.
William must feel the weight of enormous responsibility, both personally and for the monarchy, of which he is now the public face.
But he knows his most important role is that of dad and husband.
He will make that his priority.
This is a distinct difference from the ways of the past, where your royal role came before the role of spouse and parent.
Think back to when the Queen was young.
William's priority is his family
It was a man’s world then — and she was forced to abandon her children in a way that William is determined not to.
William and Kate waited until the school term was over and their children were home before making their public announcement.
They needed to be prepared.
In this, they will have had the wholehearted support of Charles — who knows what it feels like to be brought up by nannies.
William was also acutely aware of the lack of his own father’s presence in his life, especially when things went wrong.
In 1991, he was accidentally hit over the head with a golf club when he was at school and Diana was having lunch in her favourite restaurant San Lorenzo.
The call came through that William had been bashed on the head and they thought he might die so it was very serious.
Both Charles and Diana rushed down to Ludgrove.
William was taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital and then to Great Ormond Street Hospital and Diana went with him.
But ever a man of duty, Charles prioritised his engagements.
William is determined to do things differently.
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