Prince William & Kate called off their hunt for a Kensington Palace CEO
Last September, Kensington Palace excitedly briefed royal reporters about their big, keen plans to restructure Prince William and Kate’s office and hire a top CEO. Royal offices are structured so that the royal’s private secretary operates as a de facto chief of staff, and the royal is “chief executive.” William’s CEO scheme was another plot for William to do less work and have fewer responsibilities. What was interesting about the September announcement (and it really was a full KP briefing to multiple outlets) was that there was immediate pushback from the press and Buckingham Palace. Royalists pointed out that a CEO would just add an unnecessary level of bureaucracy, and many even pointed out that Huevo seemingly wanted to do things in a more “American” way, like the Sussexes. William’s long-suffering private secretary Jean-Christophe Grey quit when he heard the CEO news, leaving both William and Kate without private secretaries for months (they were basically assigned people in February of this year). All of which to say, William’s big CEO scheme was yet another losing strategy which went nowhere. Now, eight months later, Huevo is giving up on the big CEO hunt.
Prince William has suspended his bid to find a chief executive to overhaul his Kensington Palace office. The search was announced last September amid suggestions that the Prince wanted a ‘revolutionary’ restructure to make his and Kate’s household more corporate. Headhunters Odgers Berndtson had been charged with finding dynamic candidates who were ’emotionally intelligent, with ‘low ego’ [and] strong self-awareness’.
But eight months on, the ambition has fallen flat and the search has been called off, despite a source saying that the lack of a strong leader and ‘all-seeing eye’ has left the couple’s office ‘rudderless’ at a time when the Princess is also dealing with her cancer diagnosis.
Traditionally, Royal households have been led by a ferocious private secretary, often an ex-Army officer. In the late Queen’s early reign, this role was filled by the legendary Alan ‘Tommy’ Lascelles, portrayed as a curmudgeonly enforcer in Netflix’s The Crown, and known as ‘the snake who saved the monarchy’.
A source tells me: ‘The Waleses need their Tommy Lascelles. The CEO appointment was meant to have been finished by now. They are rudderless without one.’
William and Kate have two new private secretaries – Lieutenant-Colonel Tom White and former diplomat Ian Patrick – but they are still learning the ropes and were intended to report to the new CEO.
The source added: ‘There’s the sense the King’s team feels quite solid – his private secretary Clive Alderton has an iron grip on things – whereas it doesn’t seem as clear at Kensington Palace. Their household seems less sure-footed.’
William’s former private secretary, Jean-Christophe Gray, announced his resignation after it was first revealed that a CEO was to be appointed, although he insisted the two facts were not linked. It is understood he has now left his office. There is also said to be a highly charged atmosphere at Kensington Palace’s communications department, which is still reeling from the debacle of Kate’s Photoshopped Mother’s Day photograph. A Kensington Palace spokesman said last night: ‘With everything going on, the Royal Household’s focus is on the Princess’s recovery, so no appointment has been made.’
This is such a loaded story. It’s partly about how any quality manager/executive wanted anything to do with the clownery at Kensington Palace. Sh-tty pay, sh-tty people and the laziest heir ever. It’s also about how William and Kate can’t keep staff and there’s no there there. W&K are constantly tripping over their d–ks with all of their dumbass schemes. Like, that’s why Kate didn’t have a private secretary for a year and a half – Kate’s “work” was stupid “Early Years” crap and wheel-spinning. It’s also a story about how everyone within the royal circle knows that Kensington Palace is an utter clownshow. It’s really, really funny.
Photos courtesy of Cover Images, Instar, Kensington Palace.
North America Rights Only – Kingston, Jamaica -20220322- Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge meet locals during a visit Trench Town, the birthplace of reggae in Kingston, Jamaica, on day four of their tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee. -PICTURED: Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge -PHOTO by: Chris Jackson/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing 
North America Rights Only – Kingston, Jamaica -20220322- Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge meet locals during a visit Trench Town, the birthplace of reggae in Kingston, Jamaica, on day four of their tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee. -PICTURED: Catherine Duchess of Cambridge -PHOTO by: Chris Jackson/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing 
North America Rights Only – Kingston, Jamaica -20220324-Royal Visit to the Caribbean – Day 6 Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge attend the inaugural Commissioning Parade for service personnel from across the Caribbean who have recently completed the Caribbean Military Academy’s Officer Training Program, in Kingston, Jamaica, on day six of their tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee. -PICTURED: Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge -PHOTO by: Jane Barlow/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing
North America Rights Only – Kingston, Jamaica -20220324-Royal Visit to the Caribbean – Day 6 Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge attend the inaugural Commissioning Parade for service personnel from across the Caribbean who have recently completed the Caribbean Military Academy’s Officer Training Program, in Kingston, Jamaica, on day six of their tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee. -PICTURED: Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge -PHOTO by: Jane Barlow/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing 
North America Rights Only – Kingston, Jamaica -20220322- Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge meet locals during a visit Trench Town, the birthplace of reggae in Kingston, Jamaica, on day four of their tour of the Caribbean on behalf of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee. -PICTURED: Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge -PHOTO by: Chris Jackson/PA Images/INSTARimages.com Disclaimer: This is an editorial, rights-managed image. Please contact INSTAR Images for licensing fee and rights information at sales@instarimages.com or call +1 212 414 0207. This image may not be published in any way that is, or might be deemed to be, defamatory, libelous, pornographic, or obscene. Please consult our sales department for any clarification needed prior to publication and use. INSTAR Images reserves the right to pursue unauthorized users of this material. If you are in violation of our intellectual property rights or copyright you may be liable for damages, loss of income, any profits you derive from the unauthorized use of this material and, where appropriate, the cost of collection and/or any statutory damages awarded For images containing underage children: Be advised that some Countries may have restricted privacy laws against publishing images of underage children. Inform yourself! Underage children may need to be removed or have their face pixelated before publishing Featuring: Prince William and Catherine Duchess of Cambridge Where: Kingston, Jamaica, Jamaica When: 22 Mar 2022 Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Images/INSTARim **North America Rights Only** 
His Royal Highness visits Fistral Beach, which is widely regarded as one of the best surfing beaches in Europe. Here, The Duke will meet representatives from local organisations who are working to promote safety in the sea and across the beach area, ahead of the forthcoming summer months Featuring: William, Prince of Wales Where: Newquay, United Kingdom When: 09 May 2024 Credit: Cover Images
The Prince of Wales, known as the Duke of Cornwall when in Cornwall, during a visit to Fistrall Beach in Newquay, to meet local organisations who are working to promote safety in the sea and across the beach area Featuring: William, Prince of Wales Where: Newquay, United Kingdom When: 09 May 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcW9haX92e8%2BroKeblZTEqrjLopiml5uWwaarwpqjpZ2UlLynsr6tn56hopS1trrTmJ2oqo%2BWrKyxzaygp5%2BkpLugvMClmJydj5iysHs%3D