The Princess of Wales has hired a new Private Secretary, ready to help her get back into royal duties once she recovers from the abdominal surgery that has sidelined her since the beginning of the year.

According to a report in The Times, Kensington Palace confirmed reports that Lieutenant Colonel Tom White has been appointed as Catherine’s new Private Secretary.

Lieutenant Colonel White will join William and Catherine’s household with prior experience, having served as an equerry to the late Queen Elizabeth II from November 2020 until her death in September 2022.

Catherine has been without a Private Secretary for over a year, relying on other staff members at Kensington Palace to assume the duties while a formal search took place.

According to reports late last year, Catherine invited Lieutenant Colonel White on several engagements so that he could see how she works and what the duties would entail.

Prior to his work within the Royal Household, Lieutenant Colonel White served in the military as a Royal Marine, serving a stint in Afghanistan in 2009.

The news comes on the heels of the appointment of William’s new Private Secretary, the former diplomat Ian Patrick, who has worked with both government officials and with the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office before taking on duties for the future king.

Catherine has been recovering from abdominal surgery since early January, with Kensington Palace noting that based on “current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter.”