Duchess Kate ready to go solo following Queen's royal lessons

The UK News (ANI) Sunday 5th February, 2012

The Duchess of Cambridge is being offered a series of "training sessions" by the Queen of England herself, to enable her to take on solo engagements that are coming her way.

The Duchess will have to attend social obligations alone as Prince William is away for training for the next few weeks. After that, she will tour the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Malaysia and Singapore with him in September.

Now the Queen, who will complete 60 years on the throne soon, has invited her to Buckingham Palace for regular chats to boost her confidence.

"The Queen has developed a great affection for Kate and wants her to feel fully supported," the Daily Mail quoted an insider as saying.

"She knows how big a step carrying out official duties will be for Kate and has offered to have regular meetings to make sure she feels prepared," the insider said.

The 30-year-old Duchess is to accompany the Queen on two Diamond Jubilee engagements next month.

The monarch is said to be taking a "close interest in the Duchess's development".

"The engagements they will carry out together promise to be invaluable learning opportunities for Kate, as well as being a real honour," a courtier said. (ANI)