Princess Beatrice 'hinted at her royal future' with telling Prince William move

Princess Beatrice might have signalled her future royal role by assisting Prince William on a major British occasion.

The Royal Family recently came together to welcome Japanese Emperor Naruhito to the UK for an official state visit. Ever since he succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne two years ago, the Emperor has been surrounded by festivity and formality.

He's been guest-starring at state events with various royals as the Prime Minister and other key officials focus on the imminent general election.

Amongst the high-ranking royals, Prince William is prominently involved in the visit, and, as a result, his cousin, Princess Beatrice stepped in to take on one of his duties as he was no longer able to attend.

Despite not being officially listed as one of the senior working royals in the King's slimmed down monarchy, the princess stood in for her cousin during an Earthshot Prize event, reports the Mirror.

This prize, established by Prince William with the support of the Royal Foundation in 2020, convened a water-themed roundtable on June 25. According to reports, Beatrice joined stakeholders and philanthropists eager to "explore water as an emerging investment theme".

Princess Beatrice's involvement in the event, despite not being an official part of the royal rota like her cousins, could be seen as a chance for her to step up within the Firm.

The royals are currently one member down, with the Princess of Wales, stepping back from duties due to preventative treatment for an undisclosed cancer.

The King, although he has made appearances at Trooping the Colour and is gradually returning to his official duties, is also undergoing treatment for a type of cancer. It's unlikely that there will be more than a temporary expansion of the Firm's ranks, as Charles is well-known for wanting to streamline the Royal working rota.

However, Beatrice and her sister Eugenie are said to be eager to join the rest of their family, with a friend of the pair stating earlier this year that they "have a lot to offer".

On Prince William's decision to have his cousins join him at events such as a garden party, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond previously told OK! that it gives a rare insight into what the monarchy could be like under King William, when he eventually succeeds his father.

“I thought it was joyful to see this new generation of royals step up to help William at one of the traditional engagements of the year. I think their guests would have been genuinely thrilled to meet this younger, less formal and, let’s face it, more fun generation of royals.

“I think it gave us a glimpse of the future: when William becomes King. He may not have his brother at his side, but he will have a band of loyal and close relatives to help him represent the monarchy. I’m sure that, whenever they can, they will step up to help William when the burden of Kingship finally falls on his shoulders.”