THE Firm would be “reduced to a shadow of itself” without Kate Middleton, the former private secretary to Diana, Princess of Wales has claimed.

Buckingham Palace revealed that King Charles, 75, was well enough to return to public-facing duties just 11 weeks after announcing his cancer diagnosis.

Princess Diana’s private secretary says that without Kate Middleton, the institution seems ‘rather flat’Credit: The Mega Agency

Patrick Jephson with Princess Diana at The Burghley Horse Trials in Stamford, LincolnshireCredit: Getty

And according to Patrick Jephson, the former private secretary to Diana, Princess of Wales, King Charles has had little choice but to re-think his slimmed-down monarchy.

While it wasn’t long ago the House of Windsor had the longest-reigning monarch in British history in charge, without Kate, he believes it now seems rather vulnerable.

“Without Catherine, it all seems rather flat. The future of the monarchy is William and Catherine,” he says, speaking to Vanity Fair.

“And, as we know from any superficial study of the British royal family, it’s the women who pull the show together, who get out there and make things happen.

“So how fragile is the monarchy? Well, it’s as fragile as Catherine is and at the moment, we don’t know.”

Without Catherine, it all seems rather flat. The future of the monarchy is William and Catherine

Patrick JephsonFormer Private Secretary To Diana, Princess Of Wales
The princess made a triumphant return when she attended her first royal event since December at Trooping the Colour on 15th June.

She delighted fans by appearing on the Buckingham Palace balcony alongside the King, Queen, Prince William and her three children.

However, royal sources have insisted that despite her appearance, she is not yet returning to a full schedule of public engagements as her preventative cancer treatment continues.

But, she is expected to attend more events this summer when she feels able to and with the support and guidance of her doctors.

According to Jephson, the “intense public emotion” the mum-of-three received from the public following her appearance at Trooping the Colour only highlighted her importance to the monarchy.

He goes on to say that without the Princess of Wales, the institution would be “reduced to a shadow of itself.”

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

April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos

June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel’s Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon”

June 14: Kensington Palace announces the princess will attend the King’s Birthday Parade

Jephson added: “Given the Windsors’ drastically thinned ranks, she is the crown’s best hope by far.

“She combines duty and beauty with a piercing vulnerability second only to Prince William’s mother.”

Kate delighted fans when she attended Trooping the Colour in June