Prince William is set to resume full-time royal duties next week, as he combines digital appearances and in-person engagements to make a maximum impact. Sources have revealed that this will serve as a template and a dry run for his future reign.
After a prolonged absence of more than three weeks, William, who had been keeping a low profile since his wife Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis, made a comeback on Wednesday. He took to social media to honor a prominent female soccer player who was retiring from England’s national team.
Prince William made a strategic move to re-engage with the public by cautiously stepping back into the limelight. His ongoing digital presence is a crucial aspect of his plan to balance his increased royal responsibilities due to his father’s illness with his commitment to being a devoted family man. A close friend likened his approach to a “work-from-home” style, allowing him to seamlessly manage his royal duties while prioritizing his personal life.
William has been enjoying his school holiday at his family’s country home on the Sandringham Estate for the past three weeks. This time spent with his family has also allowed him to prepare for what another source described as “a dry run at being king much sooner than he might have imagined.” This refers to the fact that his father, King Charles III, has had to reduce his public royal duties due to his ongoing cancer treatment, making William the most prominent working member of the family.
Reports have emerged suggesting that he relished his time away from the public eye. It is said that he was seen recently, in the company of his mother-in-law, Carole Middleton, indulging in a pint at a local pub. This seems to confirm the rumors that Kate’s family is providing support as she battles cancer.
It is believed that Charles spent a few days in Scotland to celebrate his wedding anniversary. Although he has been mostly out of the public eye, except for an appearance on Easter Day, it is unlikely that he had the opportunity to meet with his son during the Easter holidays. However, Charles has made it clear that he greatly admires Kate and is proud of her decision to publicly address her illness.
Kensington Palace has chosen not to provide any specific details about William’s plans for the upcoming weeks. They have also not addressed the question of whether he will be engaging in more online work. However, it has been previously communicated to journalists that he is expected to resume public appearances once the school term starts next week. According to The Daily Beast, this plan remains unchanged and William will be making a number of in-person public appearances in the coming weeks.
According to a friend of the couple, the upcoming weeks and months will serve as a blueprint for the future reign of Prince Charles. Even if he doesn’t ascend to the throne for quite some time, he will have access to similar staff and resources. The friend predicts that Charles will strive to strike a balance between his duties as a state leader and his responsibilities as a devoted family man, caring for his unwell wife and ensuring the well-being of his children. This may require him to engage more in online activities, utilizing the flexibility of remote work and adopting a hybrid work approach. Ultimately, this approach is seen as more impactful, as it allows Charles to reach a wider audience.
According to a former royal courtier, William and Kate had anticipated having many decades as Prince and Princess of Wales. However, circumstances have led to William having to prepare for the role of king much sooner than expected. While he may not be thrilled about the situation, it will provide a unique opportunity to get a glimpse of what his reign as King William might entail.
When I spoke to William’s friends and advisers, they made it clear that he has no plans to follow in his grandmother’s footsteps by taking on hundreds of engagements and being the patron of numerous charities. Instead, his focus will be on representing fewer causes but making a greater impact, as he often emphasizes.
During a trip to Singapore in November for the Earthshot Prize, which aims to find technological solutions to the climate crisis, William made candid remarks to print journalists. In fact, he explicitly stated his views on the matter.
In a clear departure from the previous royal practice of overseeing numerous charities, William commended his family for their commitment to various causes. However, he emphasized the need to stay focused, rejecting the idea of taking on an excessive number of charities. Unlike his grandfather, Prince Philip, who supported over 800 charities, and his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, who was a patron of more than 500, William stressed the importance of managing one’s commitments effectively. According to him, spreading oneself too thin hinders the ability to make a meaningful impact or bring about the desired change.
In regards to his work in the homelessness sector, he expressed his desire to have a more substantial and enduring impact rather than simply being involved in various causes and observing from a distance.
If there’s one thing that the past few weeks have made abundantly clear, it’s that William’s top priority will always be his wife, Kate, and their children. While Kate is doing well, if there ever comes a time when she needs him, William won’t hesitate to cancel any royal engagements or commitments to be there for his family.
According to Duncan Larcombe, a royal commentator and former royal editor of British tabloid The Sun, William has clearly expressed his intention to prioritize his wife and children over his royal duties. He is currently facing a dilemma as he has responsibilities towards both his family and his work as a royal. Larcombe suggests that increasing his online presence could be a way for William to strike a balance between these demands.
