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Kate Middleton Is Changing the Royal Rules as She Prepares to Become Queen!

Big changes are coming to the royal family in 2017!

This year, Kate Middleton, her husband, Prince William, and their two young children will move to London so the Duchess of Cambridge can increase her royal duties before one day becoming queen!

Now, more than ever, Kate is dedicated to making her kids Prince George, 3, and Princess Charlotte, 2, her top priority while also stepping up her royal profile.

MORE: Queen Elizabeth Is “Reluctant” to Let Kate Middleton Take Over as Queen

“This will be the biggest change this young family has had to face so far,” Princess Diana’s former butler, Paul Burrell, exclusively told Closer Weekly in a previous interview. “There will be times when Kate has to perform a royal duty when in her heart she would want to take the kids to school or be at a school play, watching her children.”

“Kate will do all she can to perform her royal duties and protect her family,” Burrell continued.

MUST SEE: Kate Middleton on Kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte — “I Want to Teach Them Kindness, Respect and Honesty”

During the holidays, reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth fell ill — forcing Kate and William to increase their official royal engagements. “Over Christmas, the family realized that its world was about to change and its younger members would be called to the front lines for active service,” Burrell told Closer.

“The queen has instilled into William that he and Kate are the key to the longevity of the royal family,” Burrell said.

kate middleton getty images

Kate, William, George, and Charlotte. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

“William and Kate have jointly made one of the most important decisions of their married life and will move back to London,” Burrell continued. “William has resigned from active service as a helicopter pilot in order to support his grandmother, training in earnest for his future role as king.”

MUST SEE: Kate Middleton Talks Life With Kids Prince George and Princess Charlotte — “Parenting Is Tough!”

When the royal couple — who tied the knot in a lavish ceremony back in April 2011 — relocate from Norfolk, England to London, they will move into Kensington Palace’s Apartment 1A. The 20-room residence recently underwent more than $7.6 million in renovations.

Despite all the changes coming in 2017, Burrell assured Kate will take on her new royal role with ease. “The Duchess has what it takes to make it all work,” he said. “She hasn’t put a foot wrong yet.”

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Click through the gallery below to see all the ways Kate and William are breaking the royal rules!