Kate sets out to lift Firm’s image with important outing in week of turmoil

Kate, 40, is set to make a solo overseas trip to the Danish capital from February 22-23 with her Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood. The Duchess will be receiving an official welcome from Queen Margrethe of Denmark, who is third cousins with the Queen. She will also join Crown Princess Mary on a visit to a nearby project which works to protect vulnerable women and children from domestic violence.

The Danish princess established her own foundation to improve the lives of vulnerable women and children in 2007.

Kate’s Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood, which focuses on how early childhood experiences shape later life, was launched in June 2021.

The pair first met during the Duchess of Cambridge’s visit to Denmark in 2011 with her husband, Prince William. Crown Princess Mary and her husband, Crown Prince Frederik, also joined the Cambridges at Royal Ascot in 2019.

The British and Danish royal families share close ties as they are both descended from Queen Victoria and King Christian IX of Denmark.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said ahead of Kate’s trip: “The Duchess is looking forward to visiting the country, learning from the Danish people, and continuing to build on the already close friendship between the two countries.”

Hopes are likely high that the Duchess’s visit will attract some positive attention after a tumultuous week for the Royal Family.

The Duke of York settled the civil sexual assault case filed against him by Virginia Giuffre on Tuesday, agreeing to an undisclosed payout which is reportedly £12m.

Ms Giuffre accused the Duke of sexually assaulting her when she was 17 and trafficked by late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Prince Andrew has denied all accusations against him and said he does not remember ever meeting Ms Giuffre.

Buckingham Palace has so far made no comment on the prince’s controversial settlement.

Questions have been raised over how the settlement is being funded and whether money the Royal Family receives from public funds will be involved.‘

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The Queen is reportedly contributing to the settlement by personally making a £2m donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity that supports victims’ rights.

The Monarch, 95, will not strip her second son of the rank of Vice Admiral or the Knight of the Garter, which is the highest order of chivalry in England.

She is also expected to resist calls to remove his Dukedom.

The Duke will also remain one of four Counsellors of State, along with Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry, who can be called in to deputise for the monarch if she is abroad or too ill to undertake her duties.

Ministers will face questions over whether public money will be used to fund the payout when Parliament returns from recess next week.

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There are concerns that the latest revelations will overshadow the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Labour MP Andy McDonald told Sky News the scandal would detract from the celebrations in June if questions were not answered about how the settlement will be paid.

He said: “The Queen is held in highest regard and people want to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee free from these considerations.

“That’s not been allowed to happen with this saga rumbling on. He [Andrew] doesn’t care anything about the people, but presumably he cares something about his mother.

“He should bring it to an end and let it be known how this is going to be settled.”