Prince William and Princess Catherine have selected a former supermarket boss to take on an important role in their team – a move which has been labelled “genius” by one royal source.
Royal commentator Josh Rom says the Princess of Wales’ recovery from cancer is “going well”.
“She will of course return … when given the go ahead by her medical team,” he told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power.
“We know previously after this huge operation, the abdominal surgery, that she was meant to return to work in Easter – the then subsequent diagnosis of cancer then put a stop to that as she receive more treatment to recover.”
Sir David Lewis, who previously worked as the CEO of British grocery retailer Tesco, has been appointed the new director of The Royal Foundation, according to The Sun.
The businessman reigned over Tesco between 2014 and 2020 following a 28-year career at Unilever, which is known for its hygiene and personal care products like Dove and Vaseline.
A former boss of a UK grocery giant is joining Prince William and Princess Catherine’s The Royal Foundation. Picture: Joshua Qualls/Massachusetts Governor’s Press Office via AP
Sir David was also the former director of renewable energy company Xlinks, and received a knighthood in 2021 for his decades of commitment to the UK’s food industry.
The 59-year-old businessman’s name now appears on The Royal Foundation’s official website, alongside other members of the board of trustees.
According to the website, trustees convene at least quarterly and take on a “balance of responsibilities” ranging from strategic direction and governance, to oversight and fundraising.
One source told the Daily Mail the move to select Sir David as the charity’s director is “genius”.
The development comes as Princess Catherine continues to undergo cancer treatment. Picture: AP Photo/Alastair Grant, File
The development comes as Kate continues to step back from royal duties as she undergoes cancer treatment.
However, it was revealed earlier this year that Kate had been spearheading a new project for the charity’s Business Taskforce for Early Childhood behind the scenes amid her health battle.
The Royal Foundation’s Centre for Early Childhood is a major part of the charity’s work, with the mother-of-three particularly dedicated to the cause.
“This is a clear commitment she has made that throughout her life of public service that this will be focus,” a source told the Daily Mail in May.
“That will continue when she returns to work. But we have been really clear that she needs the space and the privacy to recover right now.
“She will return to work when she has had the green light from doctors.”
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The Princess of Wales confirmed in March she had been diagnosed with cancer following major abdominal surgery in January.
The mother-of-three recently returned to the public eye for the Trooping the Colour parade for the King’s birthday, marking her first big royal engagement since sharing her diagnosis.
Kensington Palace has previously said the 42-year-old would only officially step back into royal engagements when she is given the green light from her medical team.