Ex-Tory leader William Hague replaces Prince George’s godfather and William and Kate’s long-standing friend on the board of their royal charity
- William Hague to have new role after William and Kate re-organise Royal charity
- Former leader of the Conservative Party to replace Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton
- Lord Hague first worked with William on action against the illegal wildlife trade
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have reorganised their Royal charity after their long-time mentor and friend was replaced by William Hague.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who was William’s right-hand man for 15 years, retired from the Royal Foundation board last week.
As William and his brother Harry’s first private secretary, Mr Lowther-Pinkerton steered the young princes through their entry into public life and helped Kate with her transformation from Miss Middleton to Duchess.
Former Conservative Party leader Lord Hague, who first worked with William on action against the illegal wildlife trade, will be stepping in to take Mr Lowther-Pinkerton’s place – one of three changes to the board
The former SAS major became so close to the couple that his son Billy was one of two page boys at the Cambridges’ wedding in 2011. The 60-year-old is also Prince George’s godfather.
Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, who was William’s right-hand man for 15 years, retired from the Royal Foundation board last week
Courtiers emphasised that Mr Lowther-Pinkerton had stood down at the end of his term, having served as a trustee since the charity’s inception in 2009.
The Royal Foundation is the charitable vehicle through which William and Kate achieve much of their work, such as their Heads Together charity.
Former Conservative Party leader Lord Hague, who first worked with William on action against the illegal wildlife trade, will be stepping in to take Mr Lowther-Pinkerton’s place – one of three changes to the board.
While Foreign Secretary, he and the Duke of Cambridge identified that the illegal trade in wildlife parts such as elephant tusks and rhino horns was among the most profitable criminal enterprises in the world.
Together they formed the Transport Task Force to identify and stop wildlife trafficking, as well the Financial Task Force to target money-laundering and the proceeds of crime.
Other changes at the foundation – which comprises just nine trustees – include the addition of former BBC boss for children’s services Alice Webb.
She met William through her membership of the Royal Foundation’s Cyberbullying Taskforce in 2016 and shared a platform with the Prince in 2017 when they spoke at the Children’s Global Media Summit.
The third addition to the foundation is Kate’s new private secretary Hannah Cockburn-Logie.
As William and his brother Harry’s first private secretary, Mr Lowther-Pinkerton steered the young princes through their entry into public life and helped Kate with her transformation from Miss Middleton to Duchess