Problem in the Cambridges? Kate Middleton 'Unusually' Loses Chief of Staff
Kate Middleton is losing her royal right-hand woman after two years.
Catherine Quinn, who worked as the Duchess of Cambridge's secretary, is moving on according to the Daily Mail.
Quinn's decision to part ways with Middleton was described as "amicable," adding that the two left things on "best terms" despite the unexpected resignation.
The secretary, who is set to leave after Christmas, believes that the job is demanding and said she would instead return and work part-time to her charitable roots
"Catherine is a thoroughly lovely lady and has achieved a lot working for the Duchess, but she simply wants to take a step back and focus again on her charity work," a Daily Mail source said.
The source added that working for Middleton was never a job Quinn had thought of taking on, as she was scaling down her commitments. However, it "came up, and she couldn't resist."
Quinn's six-figure salary was met by Prince Charles, through his private income from the Duchy of Cornwall. Her duties involved effectively becoming Middleton's personal secretary, as well as running the 38-year-old official program and coordinating her charitable interests.
Quinn supported Middleton at public engagements, kept her well informed on who she is due to meet -- and carried the hundreds of flower bouquets and gifts that Middleton was given every time she made an appearance. She was also tasked to make statements, respond to letters and organize Middleton's diary.
The Oxford-educated Quinn started working as Middleton's private secretary in October 2017. She took over Rebecca Priestly's role, who left her post in 2017 after ten years of service for the royal family.
Before taking on the role of the private secretary of the Duchess, Quinn has an MBA from Oxford and degrees from other British and U.S. universities.
Quinn spent several years working for Oxford, directing the university's Research Services and co-founded Oxford University Consulting. She previously held roles at the Wellcome Trust, where she led its grant-giving operations and the Middle Temple.
She was also on the boards of The Charity Commission, Met Office, the Royal British Legion, and the National Memorial Arboretum.
Catherine grew up in Lancashire and is a divorcee with one son. She once said that she can "vouch" that women come together to "create incredibly powerful networks and start conversations that lead to positive change."
Quinn was hired because the royal family believes that she has a strong vision for women and a belief in starting conversations on the issues which affect a lot.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are still looking for a new right-hand woman at a crucial time, according to Hello Magazine.
