Prince William desperate to 'shed image' as he prepares for job he 'doesn't want'
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Prince William is frequently recognised as one of the most popular members of the Royal Family, having meticulously cultivated an image of a modern man who balances his roles as a father and husband with his public duties.
He and Kate Middleton are currently the most influential royal couple, earning widespread acclaim for their parenting approach with their children, Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, largely kept out of the public eye.
However, behind closed doors, William has been accused of not being as dedicated to his responsibilities as he could be.
Even prior to Kate's cancer diagnosis, the royal engagement league tables raised questions, with both consistently trailing behind older members of The Firm.
While figures like Princess Anne and the King seldom take a day off, William has reportedly frustrated Palace staff with his reluctance towards official engagements, particularly those outside the UK.
Despite 2024 being an exceptionally challenging year for the Prince, courtiers noted that he still managed to enjoy trips to Germany for the European Championships, and South Africa for his Earthshot prize, despite declining to undertake royal visits.
(Image: Jordan Pettitt -)
It was reported that last month, King Charles had to assert his authority and instruct a hesitant William to attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome.
William's perceived lack of work ethic was highlighted in a recent New York Times article discussing the family's feud with Prince Harry. Experts suggest that he is attempting to discard this image by crafting a new one, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
Historian Ed Owens said that William was "burnishing his reputation as a statesman". He added: "William has sometimes been seen as work-shy, but we see him gravitating toward bigger, more media-friendly events."
(Image: PA)
Whilst William's public appearances are less frequent compared to his father, they have been significant in recent months.
In December of the previous year, he attended the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, an occasion which allowed him to spend time with US President Donald Trump.
Despite his visit to the Vatican being under duress, according to insiders, it was another major global event where William was present. The cancer diagnosis of King Charles has shifted focus towards the future of the monarchy.
Mark Landler, the London bureau chief for the NYT, observes that the "job that William does not want, at least for now, is his father's" However, he notes that "fears over the king's health have made talk of succession inescapable".
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