Revealed: Why a former diplomat has joined the Duchess of Cambridge's team
KATE, the Duchess of Cambridge, has hired former senior British diplomat Hannah Cockburn-Logie OBE MVO as her new private secretary.
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The Duchess of Cambridge’s previous secretary, Catherine Quinn, left her job after two years of duty in November. Ms Quinn, whose role was similar to that of a chief of staff, started working for the Duchess in October 2017 and is said to have left in “the best of terms”.
Ms Cockburn-Logie listed the full-time job position at Kensington Palace on LinkedIn as having started at the beginning of this month.
Her job entails a series of different tasks ranging from scheduling Kate’s meetings to attending engagements with her.
Ms Cockburn-Logie has 20 years of experience working in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
Much of her work life has involved representing the UK internationally, with events in Slovenia, India and most recently Brussels.
She worked as a head of political and bilateral relations at the British High Commission in India, based in New Delhi, until September 2018.
She is thought to have met Kate and Prince William their seven-day tour to India and Bhutan in April 2016, which she organised and accompanied them throughout.
She also arranged and led the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's visit to India in November 2017.
Ms Cockburn-Logie obtained an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in December 2017 for her work around the relationship between the UK and India.
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She was in charge of organising Prime Ministerial visits for both countries, as well as the Cambridge’s tour.
Speaking about her OBE, she told The Grimsby Telegraph at the time: “I am absolutely over the moon, it is a real privilege and honour having worked so hard for the past few years in India.
“It is really nice to have your work recognised. I never imagined when I was at school that I would one day be recognised in this way.
“I hope it shows that hard work pays off. It is wonderful to be back in Grimsby to share this news with my family in person.”
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Her work leading the Queen's visit to Slovenia granted her an MVO in 2008.
Ms Cockburn-Logie grew up in Cleethorpes and Grimsby and attended Franklin Sixth Form College.
She obtained an undergraduate degree in Modern History at the University of East Anglia and then went on to study a Masters in Social and Public Policy at the University of Leeds.
Former private secretary Catherine Quinn's six-figure wages were awarded by Prince Charles, through his private funds from the Duchy of Cornwall.
Kate has celebrated the “amazing” submissions to her photography project “Hold Still”, which tells the stories of people during the lockdown.
In a video message, Kate said: “There have been so many amazing entries to Hold Still over the last few weeks.
“From families up and down the country showing how they are adapting to life during lockdown, through to some of the most amazing NHS and social care staff who are putting their lives on the line to save the lives of others.
“But it isn't too late to take part. So please take a moment to capture what life is like for you, because together I hope that we can build a lasting illustration of just how our country pulled together during the pandemic.
“I can't wait to share the final 100 images with you.”