Kate's secret mentor 'WHAT I LEARNED FROM PHILIP'

William's late grandfather handpicked the princess for the qualities he saw would make her a great consort

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It's not an easy job, playing second fiddle to a monarch. But future queen Catherine, Princess of Wales has been preparing for when she'll be consort by following the example of someone who is the perfect role model.

Her late grandfather-inlaw, Prince Philip, has been a huge influence on Kate and even though he's no longer around to share his wisdom, his legacy of how to carry out the tricky job of being the sovereign's other half will help Prince William's wife when her turn comes to tackle the position.

Kate, 43, won't want to take on the role anytime soon, but the King's cancer diagnosis has forced the royal family and their aides to look ahead to a time when King William V is on the throne and Queen Catherine is by his side.

Kate knows she will play a pivotal role in William's tenure as King and started learning from Philip about what makes a good consort when she joined the royal family in 2011.