Duchess in distress

She’s feeling the pressure after Megxit

Making a surprise visit to a London preschool, a smiling Duchess of Cambridge appeared to be her usual happy self.

It might have been her fourth royal engagement in a matter of days, but the mum of three looked elegant in skinny black jeans and ankle boots, chatting animatedly to teachers and kiddies alike as she helped serve the little ones breakfast.

But behind those obligatory smiles, the usually unflappable 38-year-old is secretly suffering. Still reeling from the Duke and Duchess of Sussexes’ decision to quit royal life, sources say cracks are beginning to show as the increased pressure takes its toll on hardworking Kate.

“She’s in a panic and has been having bouts of anxiety,” claims an insider. “She barely has time to rest, and when she does try to sleep, her mind is constantly racing.”

With Prince Harry and Meghan starting their new life with eight-month-old Archie in Canada, the pressure on Kate and Prince William, 37, to fulfil their royal responsibilities has doubled. According to insiders, Kate – who’s a devoted mum to Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, and 20-month-old Prince Louis – sometimes works 18 hours a day.

In the past week, she attended an emotional UK Holocaust Memorial ceremony, visited a children’s hospital and a prison, not to mention the preschool appearance to promote her recent survey into the early years. And with her calendar fuller than ever – an appearance at the BAFTAS was scheduled for Sunday night – the hectic pace shows no sign of slowing.

“She’s already stretched pretty thin,” says the insider, “and now she’s really worried about how she’ll juggle the extra workload on top of her family life.”