Kate could ‘replace Prince Andrew in senior role’ as duchess faces ‘big year’

The Duchess of Cambridge could be set to replace Prince Andrew in one of the military roles he was stripped of earlier this month, reports say.

According to The Times, a source from the Grenadier Guards has said that Kate Middleton is the group's choice to become the new Colonel.

If she does, she would become the first woman to hold the role since it was established 366 years ago.

A source claimed: “From straw polling through the ranks, they would all love it to be Kate.

“We all admire the way she has fitted in and behaved, she never seems to put a foot wrong.

“Everything she has taken on she really commits to and we want someone who will really engage with us."

Prince Andrew took on the role from the Duke of Edinburgh in 2017.

The Prince was stripped of his military titles and royal patronages earlier this month, a statement from Buckingham Palace confirmed.

The vast majority of charities and other organisations have also spent the last few weeks distancing themselves from the royal – who will now have to fight his civil court case as a private citizen.

The Duke of York may face a civil trial over claims he sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre when she was 17.

The Palace said in a statement: “With the Queen's approval and agreement, the Duke of York's military affiliations and Royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.

"The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen."

He will no longer use the style "His Royal Highness" in any official capacity, a royal source added.

He will be facing a civil trial over sexual assault allegations, which he vehemently denies.

Princes Charles and William are both reported to be furious with Andrew after a judge in New York ruled the Prince can be taken to civil court over accusations he abused Ms Giuffre three times in 2001.

Andrew has always vehemently denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

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