Prince William and Kate Middleton appoint new PR chief

• Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appoint Lee Thompson as their new public relations chief.
• Lee is a former Team GB triathlete and vice president at NBC Universal.
• The 34-year-old has been described as “a smart, super-switched-on man”.

A former triathlete has been chosen as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s new public relations chief.

Following their recent trip to the Caribbean, when the monarchy’s position in the region was widely questioned, the royal couple has turned to Lee Thompson, a Leeds University graduate, and former Team GB triathlete, to assist them to enhance their image.

Lee, 34, has been characterized as “a smart, super-switched-on man who really gets the international things” by The Sunday Times newspaper.

He is currently the vice president of global communications and strategic alliances at NBC Universal, one of the world’s largest media and entertainment conglomerates.

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Lee is reported to have contributed to a 600% increase in CNBC’s YouTube following. However, he will shortly begin work as the royal couple’s new communications secretary.

During their trip of the Caribbean in March, the duke and duchess said it is up to the people of Belize, Jamaica, and the Bahamas to decide their future relationship with the United Kingdom.

The 39-year-old prince explained that he was “committed to service” and that he didn’t have any intention of telling people in the region what to do.

William – who has Prince George, eight, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, four, with his wife – said at the time: “I know that this tour has brought into even sharper focus questions about the past and the future.

“In Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas, that future is for the people to decide upon.”

The duke also spoke of his “profound sorrow” over slavery during a speech in Jamaica.

He added: “While the pain runs deep, Jamaica continues to forge its future with determination, courage, and fortitude.”