Princess Beatrice's telling move about Royal future as she steps in for William

Princess Beatrice may have given a significant clue about her future role within the Royal Family by assisting Prince William at a key UK event.

The royals were recently mobilised as Japanese Emperor Naruhito - a university friend of King Charles III - arrived in the country for an official visit earlier this week.

The Emperor, who ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019, has been treated to a week of grandeur and ceremony, accompanied by numerous royals for state events while the Prime Minister and other key officials are preoccupied with the general election.

Prince William is among the senior royals playing a significant role in the visit, which meant that 35 year old Beatrice was called upon to fulfil one of his duties, the Mirror reports.

Although she's not an official member of the Royal rota under the King's streamlined model, she stepped in for the Prince during an Earthshot Prize event.

The prize, established by the heir-to-the-throne with the support of the Royal Foundation in 2020, hosted a water roundtable on June 25, when William was busy welcoming the Emperor and Empress Masako to British shores.

The Daily Express reported that she joined investors and philanthropists who had convened to "explore water as an emerging investment theme", according to a post by a Beatrice fan account on X.

Despite not being an official part of the Firm, Princess Beatrice's involvement in the event could be seen as a chance for her to join the working ranks of the monarchy.

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

The King, who attended Trooping the Colour and is gradually returning to official duties, is also undergoing treatment for a form of cancer.

However, any permanent expansion of the Firm's ranks seems unlikely as Charles is known for his desire to streamline the Royal working rota.

Nevertheless, Beatrice and her sister Eugenie are said to be eager to join their family's ranks, with a friend of the duo stating earlier this year that they "have a lot to offer".

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