With King Charles continuing cancer treatment, Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly facing increased demands to step up their royal responsibilities.
According to royal commentator Camilla Tominey, some Palace staff are growing “frustrated” with the couple’s perceived reluctance to fully commit to their roles.
Tominey noted that even before Kate’s own health struggles, she had already earned the nickname “part-time royal” behind palace doors due to what insiders saw as a lukewarm approach to her public duties.
Balancing Health and Duty
In March 2024, the Prince and Princess of Wales temporarily reduced their public appearances following Kate’s cancer diagnosis. While understandable, Tominey told Royal Insider that pressure on the couple has been mounting. Staff are reportedly concerned that the pair are spending more time focusing on their family than fulfilling obligations to “The Firm.”
Prince William, in particular, has drawn criticism for devoting time to personal projects, including trips to Germany for the Euros and to South Africa for his Earthshot Prize, rather than taking on more traditional royal duties as the future king.
While Kate has cautiously resumed some engagements, sources say she is still firmly committed to being an involved mother to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. As reported, she carried out only 11 official duties in 2024 due to her illness.
William completed 71 engagements in 2024, down from 172 the previous year. For comparison, Princess Anne—often hailed as the hardest-working royal—managed 217 engagements in the same period.
Generational Strain and Public Expectation
Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich suggested that the Prince and Princess of Wales are feeling the strain of what’s expected of them. Speaking to Fox News Digital, she explained, “[Prince William] is also under huge generational pressure since the increasing public popularity of the monarchy ranks highest for both him and Princess Catherine.”
Tominey’s comments align with earlier reporting from The Scottish Daily Express, which claimed that William declined to attend Pope Benedict XVI’s funeral until King Charles insisted. The report also said the Prince has been avoiding international engagements unless tied to his personal interests, opting instead to remain close to Kate throughout her recovery.
Kate’s Boundaries with the Royal Family
The couple has long prioritized their family over official duties. As Brides Today recalled, royal author Robert Jobson wrote in Catherine, The Princess of Wales: The Biography that Kate was upfront with Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles early on.
Jobson wrote, “She established some fundamental life rules… Her ‘terms’ were in fact presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles… She was clear from the outset that she would not be pigeon-holed into carrying out particular duties… her priority, she emphasized, would always be her family.”
Despite growing pressure, it appears William and Kate remain firm in their commitment to maintaining a balance between royal service and protecting their personal lives.