Princess Diana’s former butler has given his take on what the Prince and Princess of Wales will do this summer and autumn.

The Prince and Princess of Wales want to prioritise their family and the time they spend together “as long as they possibly can” before they become King and Queen, Princess Diana’s former butler has claimed.

Paul Burrel, who previously worked as Diana’s butler as well as a footman to Queen Elizabeth II, suggested that Prince William and Kate are set to have a quiet summer and autumn at their homes in the UK with their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, without an overseas trip in sight.

Speaking on behalf of Slingo, he said: “This year is a very quiet calendar because of Kate, and they will all want to stay close to home.

“William wants to stay with his wife, and so I think it’s going to be more of moving around royal residences, and not having breaks overseas.

“I don’t think Kate will be willing enough to travel that far. I think it’s got to be a quiet summer and a quiet autumn for William and Kate and the family.”

The Princess of Wales has taken a break from royal engagements this year as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for an undisclosed type of cancer which was diagnosed back in late February.

The future Queen has only made one public appearance, at Trooping the Colour in June, and her future engagements remain unclear as she is said to attend events when she is able to do so and is given the clear by her medical team.

Mr Burrell added that William mostly enjoys being at home with his family and not being “surrounded by staff and household”.

And he said that’s what differentiates them from other royals, the fact that they want to keep their family core as strong as possible before the “burden of state comes their way”.

The former royal butler explained: “That’s what William enjoys the most, enjoys coming home, enjoys being with his family and not surrounded by staff and household.

“They do spend a lot of time just the five of them by themselves and allow staff to do jobs when it’s necessary.

“It’s different with William and Kate, they want to be a family for as long as they possibly can, before that burden of state comes their way.”