Around this time last year, Kensington Palace excitedly announced that there were plans afoot to send Prince William and Kate on a “charm offensive” trip to Italy in 2024. As we know now, the trip never happened, but I’ve often cited those briefings of a planned trip to question the palace narrative that Kate’s abdominal surgery was “planned” as well. In any case, in November, Buckingham Palace claimed the Italian trip for King Charles and Queen Camilla – they will likely head to Italy at some point in the first half of 2025. But that hasn’t stopped “a source at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office” from expressing disappointment that William and Kate remain so unwilling to travel on state business.
The King and Queen are hoping to visit Italy next spring, partly to make up for William and Kate pulling out of a trip planned for earlier this year.
A source at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office whispers that there is a sense of frustration at the lack of ‘limelight royals’ – those who will attract crowds and headlines – available for the Government to deploy.
There is some annoyance that Wills consistently declares himself unavailable. Difficult family circumstances were perfectly understandable, says the source, and the FCO were suggesting only short-haul, short-duration trips for William sans Kate.
So they were somewhat surprised that he was able to head to South Africa last month to support his Earthshot Prize. He also made three trips to Germany to watch the Euros and turned up at the recent Notre-Dame reopening to glad-hand Donald Trump.
Yeah, there’s a sense that “everyone understands” why Kate no longer travels (she hates traveling, William doesn’t want her around, she doesn’t want a repeat of the Caribbean Flop Tour). There’s also a sense that everyone knows that William is a lightweight, so the Foreign Office begs William to just do quickie solo visits to various countries and he just refuses or claims that it would interfere with his “me time.” And yet he has all the time in the world to travel to football matches or his Earthshot busywork. When Charles was Prince of Wales, he was deployed internationally for decades, even when he sometimes made a hash of it, he still did it and showed up. Anyway, it’s interesting that the Foreign Office is muttering about this to the Mail.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
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- Denmark v England Euro 2024 20/06/2024. Group C Prince William in the stands ahead of the Euro 2024 match between Denmark and England at Deutsche Bank Park, Frankfurt, Germany on 20 June 2024. Editorial use only , Copyright: xNigelxKeenex PSI-19851-0046,Image: 883367551, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Nigel Keene / Avalon
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- Prince William, Prince of Wales celebrate 1-0 of Harry KANE, England 9 in the group stage match ENGLAND – DENMARK 1-1 of the UEFA European Championships 2024 on Jun 20, 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany.,Image: 883554360, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO / Avalon
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- Prince William, Prince of Wales celebrate 1-0 of Harry KANE, England 9 in the group stage match ENGLAND – DENMARK 1-1 of the UEFA European Championships 2024 on Jun 20, 2024 in Frankfurt, Germany.,Image: 883554394, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO / Avalon
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- William, Prinz von Wales, Prince of Wales with son Prince George celebrate 1-1, next to Felipe VI. König von Spanien with daughter Princess Sofia, in the final match SPAIN – ENGLAND 2-1 of the UEFA European Championships 2024 on Jul 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.,Image: 889806983, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO / Avalon
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- William, Prinz von Wales, Prince of Wales with son Prince George celebrate 1-1, next to Felipe VI. König von Spanien with daughter Princess Sofia, in the final match SPAIN – ENGLAND 2-1 of the UEFA European Championships 2024 on Jul 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany.,Image: 889807337, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO / Avalon
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- The Prince of Wales attends Earthshot+, at Portside Tower in Cape Town, a day of impactful conversations with world-leading experts aimed at multiplying the impact of The Earthshot Prize, on day two of his visit to South Africa for the fourth annual Earthshot Prize Awards ceremony on November 6 Featuring: William, Prince of Wales Where: Cape Town, South Africa When: 05 Nov 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- The Prince of Wales poses with the 2024 Earthshot Prize finalists during a visit to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, on day three of his visit to South Africa for the fourth annual Earthshot Prize Awards. Featuring: William, Prince of Wales Where: Cape Town, South Africa When: 06 Nov 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Welcome ceremony at official reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame Cathedral after more than five-years of reconstruction work following the April 2019 fire Featuring: Prince Willlam, President Emmanuel Macron, Brigitte Macron Where: Paris, France When: 07 Dec 2024 Credit: Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
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- Prince William meeting US President Elect Donald Trump in the Salon Jaune room at the UK Ambassadors residence as the pair attended the Notre-Dame Cathedral reopening Featuring: Prince William, Donald Trump Where: Paris, France When: 07 Dec 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
I love seeing pieces like this. Sometimes, I wonder if our criticism is superficial and there might be more depth to William behind the scenes, but it looks like we’ve got a pretty good handle on who William really is.
William doesn’t have hidden depths, he has barely concealed shallows.
The only thing left to see of Willy is his actual bodily harming his nearest and dearest
GOOD ONE!! Hahaha Go to the top of the class!
He’s as deep as a puddle.
No there is no depth to Peg or Can’t. He doesn’t want Can’t around but he is so awful when he does things as a global statesman (which he is not and that’s the problem) which he should have learned how to do. It’s no wonder they want Harry back so much because he is a global statesman and would have done all the work for useless Peg and Can’t. Peg wants the spotlight but the spotlight shines on all his short comings of which there are many.
I know, it’s so evident. It’s just that every once in a while I think William can’t be so bad – after all, he’s Diana’s son and Harry’s brother. And then we have articles like this…
I think Willy is just scared stiff of being embarrassed and then getting ridiculed for weeks. Willy must have been traumatised by his live, televised sacking when he & his estranged wife did the Caribbean Offensive, then all his Earthshyte flops, more American offensives and even the French one w/ Trump ended up more offensive when he was hoping for something positive to come out of something he has done. Willy is scared shyteless to get out of KP or Windsor ad even Scotland and Ireland is if not hostile are indifferent to him.
@Anonymous Irish person here. We’re hostile to all of these scourges on the welfare system.
If the future head of state refuses to do state-related work/travel, and proudly and repeatedly claims that he didn’t read his briefing notes, it’s time to get rid of said future head of state, and the whole institution.
@Nanea … William is essentially functioning as a ‘part-time’ royal, forcing his cancer-stricken father to travel overseas at the behest of the British Government. Where is the British outrage at that?
He’s such a putz.
And worse. I know I saw this a lot but please, lose that awful beard. It’s gross.
I mean what’s the FO going to do if he refuses? They can’t really do anything right? And I guess William knows this. Although this article calling him out for all his travel for the things he wants to do while refusing the FO could be the start of something. If he continually keeps getting called out for this in the BM, he maybe might be shamed into doing more trips for the FO. It’s just wild bc clearly the FO was accommodating and bending over backwards for him by offering short solo trips and he still wouldn’t do it. Like his wife, he’s clearly only going to do the things that bring him joy. Like football and vanity projects.
It’ll be interesting when he becomes king, but constitutionally, he will have to do what his ministers ask. I’m sure the government offices are willing to work with a monarch if their health is an issue (like in Elizabeth’s later years and Charles right now), but William won’t have that excuse when he becomes king. Would he be willing to risk a constitutional crisis by refusing to do his diplomatic duties?
And lord, what about the boxes? I have a hard time seeing him wanting to spend even a minute on the boxes.
No because that would mess up his me time with Kate, making her a drink when the kids are in bed and watching Netflix!
Maybe this is the best way for the British royal family to go. A natural demise. William rendering the whole thing irrelevant and not fit for purpose.
Then he can go be a rich land owner without the stigma of being depossed or whatever.
Rotting from the inside out. Anti monarchists need do nothing but stand back and watch them self destruct.
I’ve always assumed this was William’s plan all along. And I think he confirmed it with the “small-r royalty” comments a few weeks ago. I think William wants to be monarch, but I think he only wants to do it as a side-project for like 10 or 15 hours per month.
They need to be defunded in that case.
What does he care? Unless Charles steps in, he’s untouchable. And Charles won’t do jack. So William will just flounder along aimlessly until Charles kicks it. What a waste of space he is.
Since the royals supposedly have no political power what is the advantage of sending them on expensive vacations anyway? Doesn’t the government have employees trained in diplomacy to act on their behalf?
The Dutch ones do get training. I don’t know what happens with the Brits.
The theory (and even I, a small r republican see this to a certain extent) is that royalty gives you another tool in your toolbox to help your country get business, sooth kerfuffles, connect to important people. William greeting Trump is where you see that in action, and like it or not, that is how W is supposed to help his country.
The British royals are respected and admired in Middle Eastern countries and have helped with various arms and energy deals over the years. Unfortunately, there are many governments/heads of state who still respect the monarchy and for whom dealing with a royal will make deals/decisions move forward. Personally I find it repugnant but no one is asking for my opinion.
Unlike the US, the UK separated the jobs of head of government (the PM) and ceremonial head of state (monarch) so despite having no power, it is the king’s job. Technically it isn’t the POW job however, but like the POTUS might send the VP or FLOTUS, the king may send the POW.
I wonder what happened between the football match till now. He was looking Relatively healthy in the pics above. now he looks really ill
So this tells us that the FO has been asking for at least William to go on overseas trips and he’s refused, but *someone* is noticing that he’s refusing while also traveling to South Africa (not exactly a short flight from the UK) – whether that’s the DM or someone at the FO or elsewhere in the government (or at BP….), its not clear, but its not going unnoticed that William seems to be refusing to do one of the biggest aspects of his role – represent the UK abroad.
But at the end of the day, he’s refusing because he can, right? The press will generally protect him, the public doesn’t care……he’s lazy and there’s no ROI when it comes to him and his enormous income from the duchy of cornwall but as long as people in the UK are generally okay with this – nothing will change.
He also went on a Spanish hunting trip…
Leaving the country doesn’t seem to be the main issue. I also believe that the French trip was a William as a soft diplomat trip instead of fun.
So…why is he reluctant? What does he feel he’s being forced to do that he disagrees with?
I think its the work issue. Even on the French trip – he met with Trump for a half hour, Macron for a photo op, went to a service, and then went home, and got endless credit for it.
At Earthshot it seems he wasn’t expected to do anything besides hang out with supermodels and try to one up Harry in his photo ops.
I know the official overseas trips aren’t intense working trips (like he’s not in meetings discussing policy for hours), but they’re still more work than he’s used to AND he has more attention on him so people notice his lack of work (i.e. taking a day off in belize to go snorkeling, etc.)
But honestly, all that said – I think a large part of it with William is that he only wants to do what he wants to do. He’s happy to go to South Africa because that is his choice. He’s happy to go to Germany because that is his choice. But if the FO asks him to travel to Italy on behalf of the UK government? Not his choice and he doesn’t want to do it so he wont do it.
I do think it takes a lot of….um, backbone (or something else) to tell the FO that he’s “unavailable” when everyone knows he does nothing all day long.
I feel like it would be nice to have more information. William IS lazy–this could be that. He’s stubborn–he might be acting like a dumbass about something most people consider trivial. He starts stuff and doesn’t follow through…
With Ngozi Fulani, unlike BP and other royals, he did seem to realize the issue and immediately distanced himself. There’s something else like that with him, but honestly he’s so awful, I tend to tune this out.people in government bounce back and forth.
With Italy, Georgia Meloni is a horrible right wing politician. She’s very quickly become a power player in Europe, and the old guard is in trouble. Before I lash out at Egg, I want to know what they want of him there. I totally buy that he’s unfit, but I can also see where they might want him to be the face of something he feels is not good.
@ML I think that’s just you trying to give him more credit than he deserves, lol. If he was willing to go to France and gladhand Trump the way he did, I don’t think he has that many scruples about meeting right wing politicians, no matter how horrible.
To ML, I think he’s bored and doesn’t enjoy the spotlight anymore without Harry to boss around or compete with.
I think the government can get rid of William. It did with Edward, with the help of the C of E. When William takes the throne he cannot just pick and choose. He would have to take a more active role with the C of E as its head. The parties know Charles is worse off than let on (see the stories of the Wales becoming king and queen sooner than expeceted.).
There have been some fascinating documentaries since Edward VIII death that have shown not just his Nazi links but one available on YouTube which proves the 3 aspects of society which forced him in abdication & Wallis was a dream come true excuse
It was the COE/ Archbishop of Canterbury combine with Stanley Baldwin P.M. & the editor of The Times
Edward was lazy ,used to disappear off with married women before Wallis & leave courtiers to manage the fall out
Didn’t want to ‘ play “Kinging”’ & cancelled a Debutante garden party when it started to rain,upsetting the guests
He didn’t read his red boxes & left them open & the Foreign Office started to reduce the secrets they sent him as it was given to German ambassador Von Ribbentrop
Ring any bells in some aspects ?
Read Traitor King by Andrew Lownie & channel 4 doc same
You Tube Edward VIII Abdication a very British coup plus another a traitor King doc
Also Channel 4 on it with current doc George vs Edward
It seems you have to wait 50 years for the truth about these people
Oh and George V on his deathbed,which was hastened by a fatal dose of morphine by his doctor said
“He won’t last the year”
He didn’t
When the abdication of Edward was forced, they had a grown up brother ready, willing or not, to take his spot. If they force an abdication of Egg, they’ll have a child who will be king next.
I’m confused. Didn’t the press say that the Foreign Office asked William to go to the reopening of Notre Dame? So how is somebody at the Foreign Office surprised that he went to France? This likely confirms my suspicion that he asked to go to reopening so he could meet Trump. It also notable that he didn’t meet Zelinskyy who was also there.
I think he asked, that’s why it seemed kind of last minute. And they were surprised bc he’s been refusing to travel for the FO for a while.
Amy Bee, I’m not an Egg fan and he’s absolutely lazy. I have had a little exposure to fiplomats, though nothing recently.
If this is not a royal tantrum, William was sent to make Trump feel extra special. If they factored in that Trump is not pro Ukraine, William not meeting with Zelensky is not personal, but rather pointed. At this juncture, I could honestly see William being utilized to massage that Orange Ego and hopefully preventing trade and actual wars.
ML No global statesman would utilize a useless dim witted twit like Willy for anything that would result in anything useful
I could have sworn I read somewhere that Camilla was originally expected to go, but had to bow out for health reasons so Charles sent Willam in her place. But I’ve been sick for the last couple weeks and may have just dreamt that all up in my head.
Do it during the school holidays then they can take the children with them.
Lol, like hell William would do that during the sacred school holidays. He will never set a Precedent of doing work during any of the kids many holidays. Even though most parents do not have the privilege of taking off every holiday with their kids.
I find it hilarious that then thought this man was every going to work.. his track record speaks for itself
Right?
I find such a contrast in work ethic between William and Harry. Harry is constantly moving doing things, behind the scenes and for us to see. He’s got these company obligations like Travelyst, IG, Betterup. And charities like Sentabale, African Parks etc and he’s traveling the world on tours, doing interviews with NYT, even fun things like late night Halloween skits, AND helping run Archwell and producing Polo.
Like, I’m sure the grey suits and the Foreign Office would LOVE to have some of that passion and energy for work that Harry does. Add to the at the natural charm and headline attraction that he brings. I bet behind the scenes many people in government are fed up with Willy and the RF for pushing Harry away.
Egg: “I only want to do small “r” things, like beers, affairs, and movie premieres.”
Sounds like the Foreign Office is ticked off about his trip to Spain to go hunting when he likely told them that he can’t possibly go anywhere longer than an afternoon (like to France)because he has to take care of the children and do the school run. 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 Hopefully they continue with the leaks because I can’t see William complying.
William sees the writing on the wall and knows he is not made of the grit and strength it will take to withstand the NOT MY KING juggernaut that’s in his future. He is looking at his father’s reign and does not want that for himself nor George. He knows it will only get worse with time.
Could William be quietly trying to kill off the monarchy from within or at the very least changing its composition and function completely?!?!
The last paragraph … yeah.. I don’t think he is smart enough to have that kind of strategy without help from someone. It takes a commitment and a long game and does anyone think he’s capable of either?
Charles is a weird aristo putz, but no one can deny that man has a work ethic. And even though his interests are random (homeopathy? fox hunting?) he does cares strongly about things and is passionate about art, opera, spirituality, architecture and gardening. He played polo and paints watercolors and reads books. He’s a doer, even if some of his doings misfire or aren’t well-managed.
What is William passionate about? African wildlife? Groundbreaking. He watches soccer—ok. Does he play any sport? Make anything? Get excited about anything? We know he’s not religious, not spiritual, doesn’t read, doesn’t really care about film or television or theater or music or culture. Earthshot feels so random and ill-thought out, like he just wanted a big ceremony to compete with his brother’s Invictus Games. His homelessness documentary was ridiculed bc the housing crisis (like so many of the social issues he claims to care about) are rooted in the social inequality of a system that he sits on top of—it just makes everything he says and does feel hollow and hypocritical. Harry is also a rich prince but he did serve in combat, he did grapple with serious PTSD and mental health problems and his efforts to help others, support veterans and reduce stigma around depression are long-standing, consistent and real. Harry can’t “fix” wounded & disabled veterans with a million bucks, whereas everyone’s just wondering why Wills doesn’t use some of his millions to build some effing housing.
He and Kate just want to be rich and lazy and chill—that’s fine, but stop taking taxpayer money and pretending like you’re eventually going to start working.
He should be Dancing yea! 🕺
Dude has soft seductive moves 🤩
Finally people are beginning to say what we’ve always known: that William is a workshy pathetic loser with zero work ethic.
His comb-over and straggly beard do not speak, “King of a nation.”
He’s a Tory. Why would he travel on “state business” for Labour? 👀
The monarch is officially apolitical, so as above the affidavit, uniting rather than divisive, unelected. That defines the constitutional monarchy, a point of difference with a republic and party-elected president.
It seems like royal life is no longer fun for William without Harry to Lord over or compete with. So, he’s on a quiet strike.