PRINCESS Kate and Prince William have announced a huge new appointment in a major change to their team.
Former Tesco boss Sir David Lewis has been appointed a director of The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The foundation covers all the couple’s campaigning work – including William’s Earthshot prize and Kate’s focus on early years education.
Sir David, 59, worked at Unilever for 27 years – launching the now iconic Dove brand from scratch.
The Yorkshireman earned the nickname “Drastic Dave” for his ruthless approach to cost-cutting.
In 2014 Sir David left to become CEO of Tesco after it posted a £6.4billion loss.
Drastic Dave cut thousands of jobs as well as boardroom perks like private jets in a bid to fend off competition from Aldi and Lidl.
Two years later, Tesco reported whopping annual profits of £162million.
Sir David left Tesco in 2020 to “take some proper time out with my family” at their Surrey home.
But he soon joined a renewable energy start-up and has also taken on roles with Morrisons, Pepsi and the World Wildlife Fund.
In 2021 he was knighted for services to business – catching the royal family’s eye.
A royal source told the Mail Sir David’s appointment is “genius” and will lay “strong foundations” for William and Kate’s work.
But the couple have reportedly shelved plans to appoint a new CEO to run their royal household.
They announced a search for a new executive last September amid reports William wanted a “revolutionary” shake-up.
AFTER the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the royal family underwent a huge shake-up as the line of succession shifted.
Along with senior members taking on new titles, the royals £1 billion property portfolio also changed hands, from Charles to William.
The inheritance has made the new Prince of Wales the biggest private landowner in Britain – owning land across 20 counties in England and Wales.
Much of the estate comprises farmland, but it also includes homes and commercial properties, forests, rivers, coastline and around a third of the Dartmoor national park, which was once used for mining minerals such as tin and copper.
According to royal rules and regulations, the eldest son of the reigning British monarch inherits possession of the duchy and title of ‘Duke of Cornwall’ at birth or when his parent succeeds to the throne.
However, they must not sell assets for personal benefit.
The revenue from his estate is used to fund the public, private and charitable activities of The Duke and his immediate family.
