Kate Middleton has been taking a break from official royal engagements since the birth of Prince Louis in April, but the royal mum has made a few exceptions during her maternity leave.
The Duchess of Cambridge has been seen at several family celebrations in recent months, including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May, Trooping the Colour in June and Wimbledon in July.
Earlier in the summer, Kate also made a surprise appearance at an event to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force, which took place the day after the christening of her youngest son.
This week, Kate attended another important engagement. Following Miguel Head's departure as Prince William's private secretary, the Duke and Duchess held a farewell meeting with the former senior advisor.
'The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this afternoon received Mr. Miguel Head upon relinquishing his appointment as Private Secretary to His Royal Highness,' the Court Circular, the official record of past royal engagements, stated.
Head, who has worked with the royal family over the past decade, left his position earlier this summer. The Duke has since welcomed civil servant Simon Case into the role, and this isn't the only staff change to take place within the royal household.
Edward Lane Fox, who was private secretary to Prince Harry, has also recently stepped down from the job. In the same statement, the Court Circular confirmed that Meghan and Harry met with Lane Fox at the Palace this week.
Although these meetings were held in private, we could see Kate make an official appearance in the near future, as her maternity leave is expected to come to an end this autumn.
Speaking to HarpersBazaar.com earlier this year, royal biographer Duncan Larcombe said:
'It is traditional for new royal mums to take a six-month break from official engagements. The wedding doesn't count because it was a "family affair" but other than that, she will pick and choose her engagements. If she wanted, Kate could disappear into the background until October!'
Her first engagement is yet to be confirmed, but it's likely to be just in time for Christmas.
