Prince William and Kate Middleton are said to be the two most popular royals – but their attitudes are causing concern behind the scenes, according to reports
While Prince William and Kate are popular royals rumours say palace staff aren’t too happy with them(Image: WPA Pool, Getty Images)
Prince William and Kate Middleton, the future faces of the monarchy, are reportedly causing a stir among Palace staff due to their insistence on doing things their own way. Despite being the two most beloved royals among the public, behind-the-scenes tensions are brewing.
The Scottish Express has previously reported on the couple’s seeming reluctance to fulfil official duties, which has been a source of frustration for some.
While it was understandable that William took a step back in 2024 when Kate was undergoing cancer treatment, there were whispers even before her health scare that she had been dubbed a part-time Royal by staff.
Observers noted that despite his wife’s illness, William still found time to pursue personal interests, such as travelling to Germany for the Euros and South Africa for his Earthshot Prize.
Kate, now 43, has gradually resumed her Royal duties but remains committed to being an involved mother to their children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. Meanwhile, William, 42, reportedly had to be directed by his father, the King, to attend Pope Francis’ funeral, according to the Scottish Daily Express.
Prince William has reportedly been ‘reluctant’ to do certain royal duties(Image: PA)
Telegraph associate editor Camilla Tominey reports that William and Kate are “under growing pressure to up their workload”. There are concerns among aides that the couple “may be spending too much time with their immediate family instead of supporting the ‘Firm’.”
Camilla suggests that this makes a reconciliation with William’s brother Harry unlikely. The 40-year-old left the UK for California in 2020 and has upset his brother with a series of attacks on the monarchy and by revealing royal secrets in his memoir Spare.
At the heart of this was an allegation that William attacked him in a dispute over Meghan Markle, 43. William has been seen as a major obstacle between the Duke of Sussex and a reunion with King Charles, but Tominey suggests the heir has cooled down on the subject, although his change in attitude is unlikely to lead to a meeting of any kind.
She asserts that reconciling with Harry is “low down their list of priorities”. William is “no longer as angry as he was,” but friends maintain there is “no way back” for Harry and the “prevailing attitude is – let sleeping dogs lie”.
Royal experts say that healing the rift with his brother isn’t William’s priority(Image: Getty)
Meanwhile, William urged world leaders to “think big” to save the ocean, as he delivered a speech in Monaco after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday.
William was speaking at the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) on ocean preservation at the Grimaldi Forum in the principality on Sunday. He told those present: “Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting pressure on these fragile ecosystems and on the people and communities who depend most upon them.
“What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes. We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change – both negative and positive. But there remains time to turn this tide.”