The reason why Kate Middleton held a secret meeting last week

She announced she would be taking six months off following the birth of her third child, Prince Louis in April.

However, Kate Middleton has broken her maternity leave to carry out a private engagement at Kensington Palace.

“The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge this afternoon received Miguel Head upon relinquishing his appointment as Private Secretary to His Royal Highness,” the Court Circular, the official record of past royal engagements, stated today.

Mr Head has been Prince William’s private secretary for 10 years.

Miguel's resignation was announced in March, with a spokesperson for Prince William saying: "His Royal Highness feels incredibly lucky to have benefited from Miguel's advice and support over the last decade.

“He has been an outstanding press secretary and private secretary, and has been central to the decisions that have guided the establishment of the Duke's office.

“He has also been a valued adviser during an important period in His Royal Highness's life. He wishes Miguel all the very best for the future."

The Duchess was not expected to attend any events until October, however she has been spotted at several family gatherings and a couple of relaxed public events since the birth – including Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, the Trooping of the Colour, a few days at Wimbledon and the 100th anniversary of the RAF.

This article was first published by New Idea.