Monday, September 19, 2011

Memories of Princess Diana in Kate's secret charity visits

By Lynn Davidson


Under the radar: Kate has made secret visits to charities as she follows Diana with her charity work


The Duchess of Cambridge has been secretly visiting the homeless and sick, following in the footsteps of the late Princess of Wales.

Kate has made a series of ‘under the radar’ trips in recent days to learn about several charities, according to St James’s Palace.

Her visits come before she makes a decision as to which she will formally support as a royal patron.


Aides have requested the charities visited do not disclose that Kate has been to see them until an announcement is made.

It is thought her focus will be on the homeless, vulnerable young people, veterans’ issues and conservation. However, she is using the next few months to learn more about a variety of good causes before she decides in the new year.

Her husband’s mother regularly made secret visits to homeless shelters, even taking the young Prince William with her.

The experience is said to have encouraged him to become a patron of the charity Centrepoint as an adult.

William later spent a night sleeping rough in sub-zero temperatures on the streets of London to raise the charity’s profile. Princess Diana was renowned for her charity work and spent time helping children’s and cancer charities, as well as supporting the homeless, HIV and Aids sufferers and victims of landmines.

She even helped to save a tramp from drowning after her car was flagged down in Regent’s Park.

Following Diana: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Absolute Return for Kids charity Gala Dinner. The couple are following the Princess of Wales as the lend their support for charities


A palace source said that Kate had the Duke of Cambridge’s ‘full support’ but was researching the charities independently.

They said the couple had been enjoying their time together at home in north Wales while William continues his work as a search and rescue pilot.

William, a Royal Air Force flight lieutenant based on the island of Anglesey, needs to put in plenty of hours over the coming months in order to become a captain.

A St James’s Palace spokesman said: ‘The Duchess is using the next few months to get to know a number of charitable and other causes better, so she can make well-informed decisions about her future role.

‘The Duchess plans to meet a wide range of people and make private visits.

‘We are not giving a running commentary of the causes the Duchess is looking at. Her interests remain broad at the moment.’

The couple, both 29, want to avoid overshadowing Queen Elizabeth II in the run-up to 2012, the 85-year-old monarch’s diamond jubilee year.


source:dailymail

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