We will use your email address only for sending you newsletters. Please see our Privacy Notice for details of your data protection rights.

Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, 38, and Prince William, 38 are future heads of the Royal Family. On Wednesday the royal couple hosted the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife First Lady Olena Zelenska in the throne room at Buckingham Palace. The meeting was the first of its kind in months and according to a royal commentator will “hopefully be a precursor to many more activities there in the coming months.”

Buckingham Palace is the administrative home of the monarchy, however, the coronavirus pandemic has prompted Queen Elizabeth II, 94, to make Windsor Castle her main base for the foreseeable future. The Queen is still expected to commute to London for royal engagements on occasion but all large scale royal events have been cancelled until next year.

Kate and William’s Buckingham Palace meeting on Wednesday was “highly significant”, a royal commentator has claimed.

Not only did it see William and Kate step into their roles as future King and Queen Consort but it saw Britain’s most important palace back in use for the first time in months.

Buckingham Palace is currently undergoing extensive refurbishment but Kate and William’s meeting there suggests it could be used more in the coming months.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told Express.co.uk: “It is highly significant that William and Kate have hosted the first royal engagement at Buckingham Palace since lockdown.

“It was socially distanced in line with government advice.

“It has recently been announced that the Queen, though based at Windsor, will be undertaking select audiences and engagements at Buckingham Palace in the autumn in line with government guidance.

“Buckingham Palace is undergoing a much-needed and extensive refurbishment and is the headquarters of our monarchy.”

He added: “It is the best known royal palace in the world.

“William and Kate’s meeting with the President of Ukraine and his wife at the Palace was timely, and will hopefully be a precursor to many more activities there in the coming months.”

The Queen has returned to Windsor Castle following her summer break.

The Queen and Philip enjoyed two quiet weeks together at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate together before parting ways on Tuesday that the Queen could return to work at Windsor.

DON’T MISS

Queen Elizabeth II opens Balmoral Castle to public for rare glimpse [VIDEO]
Prince Harry could be persuaded return to UK with Meghan [INSIGHT]
Prince George delights royal fans as they spot ‘sweet’ detail in photo [PICTURES]

The Duke of Edinburgh has been based at Wood Farm since his retirement from royal life in 2017.

Since the Duke’s retirement, the royal couple became used to spending large swathes of time apart but were brought back together ahead of lockdown.

Philip joined the Queen at Windsor Castle days before the UK went into lockdown.

The couple remained there until August when they travelled up to Balmoral for their summer break.

The Queen and Philip will be reunited at Sandringham for Christmas where they traditionally spend the holiday with extended family.

This year the Government’s rule of six to limit socialising is expected to impact the Royal Family’s Christmas plans.

The queen’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren traditionally join her at Sandringham for Christmas.

However, if social-distancing remains in place for the rest of the year, the usual gathering may not be possible.

Source: Read Full Article