William appoints former government diplomat as private secretary
Ian Patrick was previously private secretary to former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown.
Your support helps us to tell the story
This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.
The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.
Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.
The Prince of Wales has appointed a former Government diplomat as his private secretary, as he returns to royal duties following his father’s cancer diagnosis.
Ian Patrick, who has also worked for former Liberal Democrat leader Lord Ashdown, will take up the role, Kensington Palace said on Friday.
The prince resumed regular duties this week having taken time off to support his family, after the Princess of Wales underwent planned abdominal surgery.
William hosted an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday before attending the London’s Air Ambulance charity gala dinner later that evening, thanking the public for their messages of support for the King.
It was announced on Monday that Charles would be undergoing regular treatment for an unspecified cancer, found during his recent hospital stay for a procedure on an enlarged prostate.
Mr Patrick worked under Lord Ashdown when he was in Bosnia from 2002 to 2006 before joining the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
He is also a trustee for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, a charity for the two main forms of inflammatory bowel disease.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.