Kate Middleton is climbing up the royal ladder!

The Duchess of Cambridge has big plans for 2017 — preparing to become Queen! With her son, Prince George, starting school this fall, the royal family will move to Kensington Palace, where Kate will hone in on her goal of one day serving as Queen Consort when her husband, Prince William, becomes king.

“In London, Kate will be able to get to official business more easily than when she was living at Anmer Hall in Norfolk,” an insider explained to Closer Weekly. “She has always made it clear that family comes first, but now her diary will also be full of official events.”

Kate proved her independence a plethora of times last year with her individual appearances, and fortunately for her fans, that is set to continue in 2017. To top it off, Queen Elizabeth has been giving her more public speaking lessons to prepare for her future role!

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Elizabeth — who recently just got over a bad cold — is “reluctantly slowing down,” Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler, tells Closer. Just last week, she was almost shot by her own guard during 3 a.m. walk!

“Overseas tours are now, for her, in the past, and this is where William and Kate will step into the breach,” Burell added.

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The royal family in March 2016.

However, the 35-year-old royal and her hubby — who married April 2011 — are vowing to make this transition as family-friendly as possible, making sure they don’t miss any special time with three-year-old George and their daughter, Princess Charlotte, 20 months.

“These precious days can never be bought back,” Burrell tells Closer. “[William’s late mother], Diana, knew that, too.”

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We can’t wait to see the royal family in the spotlight more and more this year!

For more on Kate, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now!

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