Is Kate's faithful flunkey set to take top job? PA could become Duchess's private secretary after accompanying her at series of engagements 

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The Duchess of Cambridge’s PA Sophie Agnew accompanied her to the opening of 42nd Street on Tuesday night at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.

Royal watchers say it is her third successive engagement with Kate and she might be being groomed as a successor to Rebecca Deacon, the Duchess’s private secretary, who got married last month and is leaving her post in the summer.

Deacon, 34, has been at Kate’s side, organising engagements and briefing her, since 2012 — the year after she married Prince William.

The Duchess of Cambridge’s PA Sophie Agnew (background, left) accompanied her to the opening of 42nd Street on Tuesday night at Theatre Royal, Drury Lane 

Royal watchers say she might be being groomed as a successor to Rebecca Deacon, the Duchess’s private secretary. Like Kate, Agnew, 30, is a St Andrews history of art graduate, but she doesn’t seem to mind doing menial tasks

Like Kate, Agnew, 30, is a St Andrews history of art graduate, but she doesn’t seem to mind doing menial tasks. 

Last year she was spotted carrying William’s red-and-blue suit cover bearing his cipher, as well as a large Longchamp Pliage bag, during their tour of Bhutan.

No love lost: Jenkins and Boe show 'beset by squabbling'

They will take to the West End stage tomorrow night as lovers — singing romantic duets to each other.

But the claws are out between Alfie Boe and Katherine Jenkins at English National Opera’s musical Carousel — over who will take the final bow.

Jenkins has reportedly demanded she be last on stage, despite Boe playing the lead. And the 36-year-old, making her West End debut, has also fought to secure the best dressing room and equal billing on posters — prompting accusations of ‘prima donna’ behaviour. Musical theatre veteran Boe, 43, is said to be adamant that he take the final bow.

‘Katherine seems to believe she is the lead,’ says a source. ‘She got the number-one dressing room, and then her name was put in front of Alfie’s on posters, which slightly annoyed him. And now she is digging in her heels over the final bow.’

A Carousel spokesman insists: ‘Throughout the rehearsal process there have been no disagreements within the company whatsoever.’

Garraway gets frisky for 50th

Kate Garraway (pictured) has shared her saucy plans for her forthcoming 50th birthday

TV’S Kate Garraway has shared her saucy plans for her forthcoming 50th birthday — but does hubby Derek Draper realise what’s in store?

Kate, who reaches her landmark on May 4, says: ‘I am turning 50 and will celebrate with a massive party. Then I plan to go to Rome with my husband and swing from some chandeliers!’

Let’s hope Derek is prepared. Kate’s plans for a once-a-day marital sex marathon project for two weeks ended prematurely after eight days when Derek slipped on his way back to their house and ended up wheelchair-bound and with his leg in plaster.

She is famous for her Fairy Liquid ads. But veteran actress Nanette Newman admits while they paid the bills, there has been a downside. 

‘I would sometimes think how nice it would be to be known for some of my film roles rather than washing up . . .’

'Fatty' Fallon beefs up military morale 

Sir Michael Fallon (pictured) has been hitting the military mess circuit to boost morale among Armed Forces officers

Defence budgets are tight — but maybe not as tight as the Defence Secretary’s trousers.

I hear Sir Michael Fallon has been hitting the military mess circuit to boost morale among Armed Forces officers.

When Fallon became Defence Secretary, he asked his Whitehall office to tell him which regimental and mess dinners were in the Secretary of State’s diary. Came the reply: ‘None, Minister. Your predecessor scrapped that sort of thing.’

Fallon’s predecessor at the MoD was of course, Philip Hammond, aka ‘Spreadsheet Phil’ and now our Chancellor.

Good to see ‘Fatty’ Fallon putting duty before girth.

Lottie chills with chum's chihuahua 

Lottie Moss, half-sister of Kate Moss, enjoyed a long lunch on the King’s Road in London with a lapdog as her companion

One’s a pampered mutt. The other is Lottie Moss, half-sister of Kate Moss, who enjoyed a long lunch on the King’s Road in London with a lapdog as her companion.

The 19-year-old Chanel model sported a baby blue shirt-style dress that she complemented with a friend’s fluffy chihuahua.

It is the second time in just two days that the blonde has taken the pooch to lunch.

Perhaps she’s trying to show off her nurturing side to her boyfriend, the incorrigible lothario of reality TV series Made In Chelsea, Alex Mytton.