The Prince and Princess of Wales will step up and play a major part in King Charles' first state visit of his reign.
The royals are set to host the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa next week with a series of events, including a glittering state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
It is the first state visit to be held in the UK for more than three years due to the Covid pandemic, with the last being then-US president Donald Trump in 2019. It is also the first to take place since the death of the late Queen in September.
And William and Kate have been given the task of greeting the president at his London hotel on behalf of the King on Tuesday morning, travel with him to Horse Guards Parade for the ceremonial welcome with Charles, and join the carriage procession back to the Palace.
The prince and princess are expected to attend the white tie banquet on Tuesday evening, with Kate and Queen Consort Camilla in tiaras. Both the King and the president will make speeches.
The visit follows the traditional format adopted during the reign of the late Queen.
On his return from Horse Guards, the King will host the president at a private lunch at the Palace and then invite him to view an exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection relating to South Africa.
Mr Ramaphosa will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey, as is tradition, and also visit the Palace of Westminster, giving an address in the Royal Gallery to politicians, before the evening state banquet.
On Wednesday, Prince Edward will escort the South African leader to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew.
The King this week asked Parliament to add his youngest brother Edward – and his younger sister the Princess Royal – as an extra Counsellor of State so he can deputise for the monarch if need be.
Mr Ramaphosa will then visit Downing Street to meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, before returning to the Palace to bid farewell to the King.
He will receive a call by the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer, and on Wednesday evening attend a Guildhall banquet with the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
In 2014, William and Kate greeted the President of Singapore Tony Tan Keng Yam on behalf of the Queen and joined the Horse Guards Parade ceremonial welcome. But traditionally, it was usually a duty which fell to Charles, as the then Prince of Wales.
Next week’s visit was in the early stages of planning before the Queen's death.
