Kate Middleton Has The Busiest Start Of The Year; Butler Explains Schedule

Kate Middleton is already in her third trimester of pregnancy. But the pregnant royal mom has just had her busiest start of the year.

The Duchess of Cambridge has just completed 38 royal engagements to date. It's her busiest start of the year because she has finished more duties compared to her previous years as a royal.

"Royal engagements are planned many months in advance," Grant Harrold told Daily Mail about the royals' schedule. "If one year has a higher number of engagements compared to another, this will be down to what the royal has agreed to do and is happy to carry out."

Harrold also believes that Middleton takes on more duties because she will be having a time off after giving birth to her third child. Prince William's wife is expected to take a halt from her royal duties after delivering their third royal baby.

"The Duchess will, of course, be having some family time once she has a third child and it is unlikely that she will be seen for a few months after the birth of the next royal baby," Prince Charles' former butler explained. "It is most likely that she will be trying to fit in as many engagements as possible before the due date, and make up for the time she was unwell and unable to attend some of her previous events."

Middleton's recent engagement included attending the first Royal Foundation forum with Prince William, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. On the same day, she visited the National Portrait Gallery for the first photo exhibit that she also curated.

Middleton is the patron of the gallery. She also described herself as an "enthusiastic amateur photographer."

In related news, Harrold commented on the way Markle and Middleton sat during their first joint engagement. According to the former butler, the Duchess of Cambridge sits more ladylike than Prince Harry's fiancée.

"Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge is sitting in a correct and ladylike manner, which she would have been taught at an early age," Harrold said. "This sitting posture is not only the correct and ladylike manner but is also a practical way of protecting one's modesty when wearing a dress or skirt. Ladies wouldn't normally cross their legs and certainly would not cross at the knees."

Markle was photographed crossing her legs during the event. However, many also noticed that the "Remember Me" star has already practiced the "duchess slant."