William hosts star-studded first garden party of the year after ‘excited’ Kate shares update on work behind the scenes
PRINCE William was spotted hosting his first star-studded garden party of the year as an “excited” Kate shared a work update.
A jubilant Wills, 41, laughed as he greeted guests at the lavish royal event at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.
The royal looked relaxed as he mingled with crowds of A-listers and famous attendees at the glitzy bash.
He was met by adoring fans and the drizzly weather didn’t put a dampener on festivities.
It comes as wife Kate shared an update on keeping up with work behind the scenes amid her preventative cancer treatment.
The princess was hailed a “driving force” behind a new early years project – but won’t return to work until doctors give her the “green light”.
She is yet to return to her public role four months after undergoing hospital surgery and later revealing her diagnosis.
A senior royal aide said she will only resume those duties once she has the “green light from doctors”.
But, Kate has read a 60-page report on her early years project and is tracking the work – published today.
The mum-of-three launched The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood in March last year.
A senior royal aide confirmed: “The Princess of Wales was the driving force behind the business task force.
“She has been kept up to date since the inception of the task force and she has read the report and been briefed on it.”
In a speech at Natwest HQ the royal mum-of-three said it was time to think “radically” in order to create a workforce that is “resilient, flexible and able to work through differences with each other”.
She added: “The healthy development of our children relies on healthy adults.”
Royal expert opinion
ROYAL commentator Richard Fitzwilliams spoke to The Sun about Kate's early years project.
He said: “This is tremendously personal and important to her and what’s been stressed is the fact that, although obviously there are strict limitations on what she’s able to do at the moment from home, she has been involved with every part of this, and there’s no question also that it is very significant.
“She is continuing her life’s work in a way which also emphasizes the fact that although she’s unable to attend meetings and perform royal engagements for reasons that we know – this is something that she’s continuing to take a very deep interest in.
“Now this [Kate’s diagnosis] for anyone is challenging and intensely stressful. And of course it will be for William and for the family given the fact that they have three children.
“This is no doubt something that millions of households throughout the country, and indeed the wider world are affected by.
“The fact that Kate’s so deeply involved in this speaks volumes, because this is a very strong commitment, and members of the royal family, although it is sometimes taken for granted, are deeply committed to so many charitable organisations.
“She is passionate about this, because she believes that there’s so much work to be done on it.
“And this is a largely unexplored area which makes it so significant that she has made it what she’s called her life’s work now.”
The report published today suggested investing in early years could add at least £45.5bn to the national economy each year.
Eight major firms – including Iceland, Ikea, Lego and Natwest – have signed up to follow the findings.
A spokesman for the Princess of Wales said: “This should not be seen as the Princess of Wales returning to work.
“The work of the prince and princess’s projects are always on. That is no different at The Centre for Early Childhood Over the past five months there has been a huge deal of progress.
“However, early childhood is a huge priority for the Princess of Wales.
“She has been kept fully up to date throughout the process and the development of the task force’s work and she has seen the report.”
Kate set up the task force last year and left it in the hands of businesses to develop the report for the Royal Foundation.
Christian Guy, executive director of The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, said: “She feels passionately about the transformational impact of getting this right, together with business both for current and generation and many more to come.
“She’s excited by it, to have eight of the most significant businesses in Britain come forward to make the case to their fellow business leaders is vital and exciting for her and priority going forward for our centre and her work.”
Prince William is a pillar of strength for Kate
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.
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.
