Princess Kate, Prince William take new initiative in response to backlash

Princess Kate and Prince William are seeking to add a new member to their team.

The royal couple have released a job description for a new position aimed at enhancing their influence across the UK's constituent nations, emphasizing the need for a unique skill in the successful applicant.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are looking to hire an "Assistant Private Secretary" who will work alongside the couple at Kensington Palace in London.

The full time job is described as an "exciting opportunity" which involves taking a lead role in the "planning and delivery for most the THR's public engagements in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland".

However, the job description makes clear there will be a "particular focus on Wales", with the eventual hire required to have Welsh language skills.

The job description reads: "This role requires excellent communication and organisational skills, with a proven ability to build productive relationships with a wide range of individuals and institutions.

"You will have a proactive, hands-on approach while operating in a small and agile team, and a strong understanding of Welsh communities, affairs, government, and business."

It adds: "Conversational Welsh is essential, and fluent Welsh, both written and spoken, is desirable."

Kate and William will not be directly involved in the hiring process, with highly regarded recruitment agency Odgers Berndtson instead tasked with finding someone suitable for the role.

Efforts to strengthen ties with the people of Wales follow criticism directed at William receiving the title "Prince of Wales" upon his father's ascension to the throne. At that time, a petition was launched calling for the title to be abolished "out of respect for Wales", garnering support from tens of thousands of individuals.

The petition argued that the title historically symbolized English dominance over Wales and was bestowed upon individuals with no genuine ties to the country.

In response to backlash from certain Welsh quarters, William opted not to proceed with the traditional investiture ceremony typically held in Caernarfon. 

King Charles encountered protests of his own during his investiture ceremony in Wales in 1969