Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · September 19, 2025 · Entertainment

The Hidden Struggles of Prince William: Is He Ready for the Crown?

At the Duchess of Kent's funeral earlier this week, Prince William gave the impression of bearing the burden of the weight of the world on his shoulders

The Turbulent Times of Prince William: Will He Save the Monarchy from Itself?

In a season marked by somber occasions, Prince William's discontent was palpable at the funeral of the Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral this week. His usual composed demeanor was replaced with a look of unhappiness and even anger, leaving many to wonder what was behind his sudden change in behavior.

But it wasn't just the weight of royal duty that seemed to be bearing down on him. Insiders claim that Prince William's frustration stems from a more personal source: his brother Harry's bid for a comeback. After years of estrangement, Harry has been quietly trying to reinsert himself into the Royal Family's good books, much to William's chagrin.

Prince Harry is, A.N. Wilson writes, evidently trying to make a comeback, having recently embarked on a pseudo-royal tour of Britain

The brothers' complicated history is no secret. Harry's decision to leave the monarchy and pursue a life of freedom and philanthropy was seen as a betrayal by many in the Firm. And now, with his tell-all memoir Spare, which includes scathing criticisms of Kate Middleton, it seems that Harry is trying to reopen old wounds.

But what really has William seething is the prospect of being overshadowed once again by his younger brother. As the Prince of Wales begins to assume more responsibilities and take on a greater role in public life, he's starting to realize that his own family dynamics are going to be a major obstacle to his success.

Take, for example, the recent State Banquet for Donald Trump at Windsor Castle. While Kate Middleton charmed the US President with her warmth and poise, William seemed out of sorts, almost penitent. It was as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Royal biographer Tina Brown claims that King Charles is ‘underwhelmed’ by William’s failure to pull his weight

But what's really got people talking is the rumors of a "charm offensive" between Prince William and Donald Trump. According to Vanity Fair magazine, William has been tasked with warming up to the unpredictable President, and their meeting in Paris earlier this year seemed to bear fruit. Trump himself has described William as a "good man," "really very handsome," and "doing a fantastic job."

So what's behind this unlikely friendship? Insiders claim that it's all part of a larger strategy to build bridges between the UK and US, but others are more skeptical. After all, there's a reason why Prince Harry's attempts at reconciliation with his family have been met with suspicion.

As the heir apparent begins to take on more responsibilities, he'll need to navigate not just his own complicated family dynamics but also the changing mood of the British public. A recent survey showed that 60% of people between 16 and 30 believe that Britain should become a republic – a worrying trend for the monarchy.

How galling it would have been for the heir to the throne to see commentators in the Press suggest Harry’s four-day trip to Britain was a roaring success

And then there's the elephant in the room: the £23 million per annum that William derives from the Duchy of Cornwall, his personal fortune. As he begins to take on more royal duties, he'll need to confront the criticisms that come with it: conspicuous consumption and lavish living.

But will he be able to adjust the monarchy to suit his own vision? Or will he find himself struggling to retain public affection for an institution that's increasingly out of touch?

Only time will tell, but one thing's certain: Prince William's got a lot on his plate. As he prepares to take the reins from his father King Charles, he'll need to be more than just a royal with a capital R – he'll need to be a leader who can inspire and unite the nation.

A.N. Wilson writes that unlike his grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, William will not become king of a nation united in its spontaneous belief in monarchy

The Weight of Duty

As the Prince of Wales begins to assume more responsibilities, he's starting to realize that being a monarch is not all it's cracked up to be. With the weight of history on his shoulders, William's got a daunting task ahead of him: saving the monarchy from itself.

But how will he do it? For starters, he'll need to confront the changing mood of the British public. A recent survey showed that 60% of people between 16 and 30 believe that Britain should become a republic – a worrying trend for the monarchy.

Why would William not prioritise family life in such circumstances and spend precious time with George, Charlotte and Louis?

And then there's the elephant in the room: the £23 million per annum that William derives from the Duchy of Cornwall, his personal fortune. As he begins to take on more royal duties, he'll need to confront the criticisms that come with it: conspicuous consumption and lavish living.

But will he be able to adjust the monarchy to suit his own vision? Or will he find himself struggling to retain public affection for an institution that's increasingly out of touch?

The answer lies in William's own personal story. As a young man, he was seen as the golden boy of the Royal Family – but now, with the spotlight firmly on him, he's starting to realize that being a monarch is not all it's cracked up to be.

A New Era for the Monarchy?

As Prince William prepares to take the reins from his father King Charles, he'll need to bring a new era of transparency and accountability to the monarchy. But will he be able to shake off the old ways of doing things?

For starters, he's going to have to confront the changing mood of the British public. With 60% of people between 16 and 30 believing that Britain should become a republic, it's clear that the institution is in for a rough ride.

But what about William himself? Does he have what it takes to be a leader who can inspire and unite the nation?

Only time will tell, but one thing's certain: Prince William's got a lot on his plate. As he begins to take on more royal duties, he'll need to confront not just the criticisms of the monarchy but also his own complicated family dynamics.

Will he emerge from this crucible as a stronger and wiser leader? Or will he find himself struggling to retain public affection for an institution that's increasingly out of touch?

The Royal Family's Greatest Challenge

As Prince William prepares to take on more responsibilities, he'll face one of the greatest challenges in modern history: saving the monarchy from itself. But how will he do it?

For starters, he'll need to confront the changing mood of the British public. With 60% of people between 16 and 30 believing that Britain should become a republic, it's clear that the institution is in for a rough ride.

And then there's the elephant in the room: the £23 million per annum that William derives from the Duchy of Cornwall, his personal fortune. As he begins to take on more royal duties, he'll need to confront the criticisms that come with it: conspicuous consumption and lavish living.

But what about William himself? Does he have what it takes to be a leader who can inspire and unite the nation?

The answer lies in his own personal story. As a young man, he was seen as the golden boy of the Royal Family – but now, with the spotlight firmly on him, he's starting to realize that being a monarch is not all it's cracked up to be.

William vs Harry: The Battle for the Throne

As Prince William prepares to take on more responsibilities, he'll face one of his greatest challenges yet: his brother Harry's bid for a comeback. With Harry trying to reinsert himself into the Royal Family's good books, William is left feeling overshadowed and betrayed.

But what really has William seething is the prospect of being overshadowed once again by his younger brother. As the Prince of Wales begins to assume more responsibilities and take on a greater role in public life, he's starting to realize that his own family dynamics are going to be a major obstacle to his success.

Take, for example, the recent State Banquet for Donald Trump at Windsor Castle. While Kate Middleton charmed the US President with her warmth and poise, William seemed out of sorts, almost penitent. It was as if he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

But what's really got people talking is the rumors of a "charm offensive" between Prince William and Donald Trump. According to Vanity Fair magazine, William has been tasked with warming up to the unpredictable President, and their meeting in Paris earlier this year seemed to bear fruit.