Prince William, Kate and Harry’s beloved charity could DISMANTLE after royal split
THE future of the charitable foundation set up by Prince William and Prince Harry to promote causes close to their hearts has been thrown into jeopardy after the palace announced a split of royal households.
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The Royal Foundation, which has been going strong since it was set up in 2009, was created by the princes before Kate, 37, and Meghan, 37, joined on later dates. It is used by the royals to spearhead their charitable ambitions and focuses on four main areas - mental health, helping young people, the armed forces and conservation. One well-known programme, Heads Together, aims to dispel the stigma associated with mental illnesses and encourage those experiencing difficulties to seek help.
The cause was close to William, 36, Harry, 34, and Kate’s hearts, and in 2017 Heads Together was chosen as the charity of the year for the London Marathon.
Many fans had hoped this influential trio would morph into the “Fab Four” after Meghan, 37, married into the family last May, but rumours of friction between her and Kate began swirling within months of the Windsor royal wedding.
After speculation mounted about the princes’ decision to operate out of separate households, on Thursday the palace announced a split between the Cambridges and the Sussexes - which will include a “review” of charitable work.
The statement read: “Jason Knauf has been appointed as senior adviser to The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
“His responsibilities will include advising Their Royal Highnesses on their charitable initiatives – including work on the environment, mental health, and early childhood – and supporting a review of the charitable structures that underpin their work.”
While it remains unclear what the brothers’ shift in direction could mean for their chosen charities, it is possible the two couples may be keen to focus on their own initiatives in the future, tailored to their different tastes.
The split will mean Harry and Meghan will have separate communications staff to that of William and Kate and their office will be based at Buckingham Palace as opposed to Kensington Palace/
The statement confirmed the changes will be in place this spring - around the same time the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will move into their new home, Frogmore Cottage, in Windsor - 23 miles from Kensington Palace.
This has reignited rumours of a royal rift between Meghan and Kate, which first began to surface late last year.
The Foundation has been used as a vehicle to promote a number of projects including the Invictus Games, a multi-sport event for injured military personnel.
In the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy, the Foundation was used to set up a community hub to help victims and their families.
The palace said the decision to split the royal households was “long-planned” and has been approved by the Queen.