Kate Middleton and Prince William’s Key Roles Revealed for the Nigerian State Visit

The Prince and Princess of Wales began taking on larger roles after King Charles’ accession, which made William the heir

William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales arrive ahead the state banquet for the German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his wife Elke Budenbender, on day one of their state visit to the UK, at Windsor Castle on December 3, 2025 in Windsor, England.

Kate Middleton and Prince William will step up during an important moment in the state visit with the president and first lady of Nigeria.

Buckingham Palace announced this week that Princess Kate, 44, and Prince William, 43, will be the first members of the royal family to officially welcome President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and first lady Oluremi Tinubu at the start of their visit on Wednesday, March 18.

In recent years, it’s become somewhat of a tradition for William and Kate to be the first members of the British royal family to welcome foreign dignitaries on state visits to the U.K. As heir to the throne, Prince William often takes on important hosting duties on behalf of his father, and Princess Kate is usually by her husband’s side.

The day after Queen Elizabeth’s death in Sept. 2022, King Charles made William and Kate the new Prince and Princess of Wales, recognizing their seniority in the family and signaling their critical roles ahead as future king and queen. “Charles is leading the way for them already, and [William and Kate] are both involved in decision-making behind the scenes. They are ready and willing to do the job — and Kate is very much a part of that,” a friend of the princess previously told PEOPLE.

Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales (L) and Britain's Prince William, Prince of Wales attend a ceremonial welcome for France's President and his wife at Windsor Castle, in Windsor west of London, on July 8, 2025, on the first day of a three-day state visit to Britain.

Kate Middleton and Prince William welcome France’s president to the U.K. in July 2025.DOMINIQUE JACOVIDES/POOL/AFP via Getty

On Wednesday morning, the Prince and Princess of Wales will greet Nigeria’s first couple at the Fairmont Hotel Windsor and travel with them to Datchet Road, Windsor, where the president and first lady will receive a ceremonial welcome.

Then, King Charles and Queen Camilla will join the group for a horse-drawn carriage procession to Windsor Castle. They will be met by a Guard of Honour, which will give a royal salute and the band will play the Nigerian and British national anthems.

Like other world leaders who have visited the U.K. in the years since Queen Elizabeth died, the president and first lady will also privately visit St. George’s Chapel to lay a wreath of flowers on her tomb.

Per tradition, the first day of the visit will conclude with a state banquet in the Nigerian leaders’ honor, with remarks from both the King and President Tinubu.

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The following day will include visits to Westminster Abbey, to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, and the Tate Modern museum, to view the Nigerian Modernism exhibition.

President Tinubu will also meet with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, and the first lady will attend a service of prayer at Lambeth Palace before being invited to preach.

Prince William and Princess Kate began to take on more responsibilities in recent years, since King Charles’ accession to the throne, which made William heir. They were integral parts of all three state visits in 2025, during which the royals welcomed leaders from France, Germany and the United States.

Kate, in particular, was a hit with U.S. President Donald Trump, who praised her as “radiant,” “healthy” and “so beautiful” in his remarks at the state banquet.

onald Trump toasts alongside Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales during a State Banquet at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on September 17, 2025

Kate Middleton toasts U.S. President Donald Trump during a state banquet at Windsor Castle on Sept. 17, 2025.

Royal biographer Ingrid Seward spoke exclusively with PEOPLE following the visit and explained that the future queen was “very aware” of the spotlight on her.

“She lightened the whole evening. She lit up the table with a megawatt smile. There was a lot of pressure on her because all eyes were on her,” said the editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine. “She would be very aware that the most important person there was the King, but she can’t help that all eyes are on her.”

“She is definitely showing traits of being a remarkable future queen,” Seward added. “She has the most beautiful smile, which captivates everyone. It’s just magical.”