Inside Kate Middleton's Crown Crisis: Princess of Wales' Continued Absence Showcases a 'Terribly Hard Time' for the Monarchy

Diana, Princess of Wales' former private secretary Patrick Jephson has some alarming predictions for the future of the British monarchy if it remains as "slimmed-down" as it currently is.

"Without Catherine, it all seems rather flat," Jephson told an outlet. "The future of the monarchy is William and Catherine."

Jephson served as the late princess' chief advisor from 1988 to 1996. After leaving his position, Jephson authored a book titled Shadows of a Princess, published in 2000, which provided an insider's view of his time working closely with the iconic royal. The book offered personal anecdotes and insights into the life and character of the one-time future queen, as well as the complexities of the royal household.

He added about Kate: "As we know from any superficial study of the British royal family, it’s the women who pull the show together, who get out there and make things happen. So how fragile is the monarchy? Well, it’s as fragile as Catherine is, and at the moment, we don’t know."

With nothing but British kings set to reign well into the next century, Catherine, for many, represents a living, tangible link to the feminine empowerment of the second Elizabethan era (1952-2022), which Diana and Kate helped to shape at different periods.

That display, which one royal insider said, "reminded me of both the late Queen and Diana," was embodied for many when the Princess of Wales appeared after six long months at June 15's Trooping the Colour.

"The intense public emotion that greeted Catherine’s brave appearance at Trooping underlined her crucial importance to the monarchy," Jephson continued. "Without her, the institution would surely be reduced to a shadow of itself. Given the Windsors' drastically thinned ranks, she is the crown's best hope by far. She combines duty and beauty with a piercing vulnerability second only to Prince William's mother."

"It was her decision to share her message with the nation about her journey," an aide to the princess told a publication. "That is an incredible example of the inner strength that she has as an individual. It shows a huge amount of courage, and I think a lot of people have taken inspiration from that."

In a glimmer of hope for HRH's fans, Kensington Palace is reportedly dropping hints for a late summer return to royal duties for Kate.

"So they've ruled out Ascot, and obviously they've ruled out Garter Day this week, but they haven't ruled out any further engagements this summer," royal correspondent Cameron Walker recently stated. "I suspect we may see her before the summer's out, but it all depends on where she is with her chemotherapy and if she's having a good day or a bad day."

The New York Post reported on Jephson's remarks.