Kate and her husband Prince William have had more of the public gaze upon them than ever following Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s so-called ‘declaration of independence’ in January. Their workload has increased so much that some claim she has been working 18-hour days in recent weeks. While Kate in particular has been commended for stepping up during a “bumpy” period for the Royal Family, reports have emerged that she would like to have another child and, if true, this means she would have to step away from the forefront of public life.

Speaking to Fabulous Digital in September last year, royal commentator Phil Dampier said: “It wouldn’t surprise me if they have a fourth child.

“Not only does [Kate] love family life in Norfolk, to be honest it gives her an excuse to not be at the forefront of royal duties for a bit longer, which I don’t think she enjoys.

“I think Kate’s been interacting with the public and doing very well recently, but from what I’m told, she’d rather be at home with the children.”

Kate – known for her more reserved nature – pulled out of a red carpet event, the Tusk Awards, back in November “due to the children” according to a Kensington Palace spokesperson.

After Princess Charlotte’s 2015 birth, Kate revealed how she felt about motherhood.

She said “becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience” but did point out “it’s full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love and worry, all mixed together”.

As the future Queen consort, Kate is expected to devote her life to her royal duties.

Only an exceptional set of circumstances could excuse her from public life, such as maternity leave.

After Charlotte’s birth, it was not long until she and William were accused of being “reluctant royals”.

The Sun revealed statistics in 2016 showing that William made 188 royal appearances, while Kate only attended 140 engagements – compared to a staggering 530 attended by Charles in the same year.

A royal insider told the paper: “The Cambridges are the reluctant royals.

“They would much rather be at home with the children but so would most British parents. Unfortunately, ordinary people don’t get the choice.”

This is not the first time Kate had been accused of being work-shy.

Back in the days before she had married William, she was heavily criticised for not taking on a full-time job.

Even the Queen reportedly felt Kate should have full-time employment before embarking upon a role within the Royal Family.

She did end up with a part-time job with design company Jigsaw, but Kate struggled to have her own career when she was already in the public eye as William’s girlfriend. 

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However, Kate appeared to fully embrace her role as a royal after the birth of Prince Louis in 2018.

Vanity Fair even recognised the beginning of the ‘Golden Age of Kate Middleton’ after her six months’ maternity leave, when she returned to royal duties with a flourish and newfound confidence.

Royal commentator Susan E. Kelley said: “It’s a huge turning point. I think this is where Kate gets to make her mark.”

She continued: “A couple of years ago, you might still have seen her being a little bit timid. Now, she seems like she’s in a more take-charge position. 

“I’m beginning to see the person who’s going to be the Queen emerging.”

More recent reports reveal Kate is “so happy” to be playing a larger role following the Sussexes’ decision to leave the Royal Family.

As a source told The Sun Online in January: “Kate is extremely passionate about the work the [Royal] Foundation does and she has ideas and plans for how she believes it can be used to help some of the causes which she is particularly passionate about.”

Although admitting she feels “broody” in recent months, the Duchess of Cambridge has rejected questions that she may have a fourth child.

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