People Magazine’s cover this week is “Prince William: The Making of a Modern King.” With Kate included on the cover, because she’s “by his side.” Goodbye Keen Linchpin Kate narrative, we are in the Incandescent Modern King Baldemort era. The King Baldemort era is focused on William as the main character and Kate as the supporting player. But as People Magazine accidentally reveals, people aren’t necessarily interested in hearing about William solo – he needs Kate to draw some interest. Also, I feel certain that People Magazine’s Photoshop elves were trying to do William dirty with this cover, oh my God. Anyway, the People excerpt is just an interview with Robert Lacey, who has either fully gone over to the Dark Side or he’s just biding his time.
“Following the April death of Grandpa [Prince] Philip, William has stepped up to become one of the top three family figures, adding the ginger of youth to royal strategy,” Robert Lacey, a veteran royal historian and author of the best-selling book Battle of the Brothers, writes in an exclusive cover story for PEOPLE. “It’s a crucial inflection point — this heir-in-waiting is under pressure like none before in recent history.”
While Princess Diana famously suggested that her firstborn son become king over his father in her 1995 BBC Panorama interview, Prince William now stands side by side with his grandmother Queen Elizabeth and father Prince Charles as a leader within the monarchy. In the past few years, many have stepped away from royal life — Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relocated to California after stepping back as senior royals, while Prince Andrew’s scandals have forced him out of the spotlight — leaving William and his wife Kate Middleton, both 39, front and center.
Following the Queen’s “never complain, never explain” strategy has earned him favor. Lacey cites a U.K. poll rating Prince William at 80% popularity, second only to the Queen at 85%.
But Prince William also has a more outspoken side, which Lacey credits to Princess Diana’s influence. William recently condemned the BBC after an investigation found that Martin Bashir used deceit, such as falsifying documents, to obtain his 1995 interview with Diana.
“After nearly five decades of studying the British monarchy I have learned to be wary of words like ‘survival.’ Headline writers thrive on crises that ‘threaten the very existence’ of the crown,” Lacey writes. “The British throne has survived beheading, exile and enough scandal to stock entire libraries. Now a new leader — William, not Charles — is paving the way forward.”
I think William believes he’s “co-opted” Lacey to be one of his champions. But Lacey’s words are likely to set off a confrontation between father and son. Charles is only going to allow this narrative to go on for a limited amount of time. And make no mistake, Charles sees William’s machinations too. William isn’t hiding his sh-t and William doesn’t understand – because he’s an idiot – that today’s quick PR hit will have longer-lasting effects. “Now a new leader — William, not Charles — is paving the way forward” is being read in Clarence House as we speak.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
William seems to be the only one Charles fears,maybe Wills uses the trauma of his parents marriage to manipulate him. In short Charles wont do a damn thing.
I dunno, I wouldn’t count Charles out. He will do something calculated to maximize damage soon enough. He’s letting William run riot, thinking he’s got the upper hand for now, then BAM! William is getting bolder, stupider and more ham fisted with his every move. He will no doubt overplay his hand and get caught up shits creek.
Charles is in charge and will be until the day he dies. Robert Lacey is just doing some major sucking-up to Baldemort Baldingham in exchange for some exclusive information.
Charles WILL defend his being on the throne to the death. NO WAY he will let Baldimort cut in front. He is like one of the old-time kings in this: he’s going to give TOBB enough rope to hang himself, then Charles will pull on that rope. HARD.
No decent father would let one son drive the other one out. ANd exile him. Charles is wimpy and lacks heart. HE could have dealt with William firmly and told him he had no business “advising” Harry about his future wife and had no business ‘Plotting” against Harry with PR. A good parent would have put his foot down. I think Diana would have dealt with William and not let Harry leave.
Everyone is saying Charles will shut William down, but when has TQ ever actually shit Charles down? When in his life has Charles actually been prevented from what he’s wanted to do as an heir and Prince of Wales with TQ at the head, other than having to Marry Diana and perhaps not divorcing her sooner ??
Charles pretty much does what he wants. I haven’t heard of TQ historically road blocking him as heir to the throne, so I’m confused about what exactly King Charles will be doing to get William in order.
Charles hasn’t tried to move his mother out of her position as monarch though. If Billy tries that, he will run into the one thing Charles will protect at all costs.
Charles probably just doesn’t care about these stories as long as they have no chance of happening.
Another embiggening story by People Magazine. What’s new?
K isn’t airbrushed into smooth oblivion in this one which is surprising.
This is the first photo of her where I’m seeing a MEGA-STRONG resemblance to CarolE! MEGA! Shame she doesn’t have CarolE’s drive though ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
for all the nonstop yammering about approval ratings, royalists seem mighty nervous about the future of their monarchy.
the desperation is so palpable.
All I’m getting is that Charles is a f*cking idiot for teaming up with William to get rid of the Sussexes, you know, the ones who would most likely support and energize his reign. Now he’s left with William who is not shy about kneecapping and undermining Charles, the actual future king, openly. The BM won’t even touch William’s shadiness with a ten foot pole, all while outing Charles for the Tom foolery surrounding his sketch financial dealings and his equally shady, “indispensable” butler. How dumb can you be?
William and Charles screams elder abuse. There is video of William elbowing Charles repeatedly in the head after Charles asked him to stop because Charles was sitting with Harry. Charles is elderly and was never someone that can physically fight like that. Williams behavior at the match physically punching the air in such a way shows how aggressive he can be. Plus the story of him screaming in Charles face in front of Camilla creepy.
If Bald Bill laid one finger on Charles (or Camilla for that matter), Charles’ personal royal protection officer would but an immediate end to it.
For real. People keep saying that Charles will have something up his sleeve for William and I’m like when the hell is he going to pull it out? This makes Charles look incredibly weak and passive by just letting his incandescent son run roughshod all over him. It was not smart getting into bed with William at all. I don’t see where Charles’ strategy is because it just looks like he got rid of the workhorse to appease the lazy, do-nothing, budget Dwight Schrute who is actively gunning for his neck.
I suspect that Charles will do nothing for two reasons. First, because he doesn’t have to do. He will be the monarch after his mother dies and there’s nothing William can do about that. God knows, this isn’t a popularity contest or none of them would be where they are. Second, I suspect that Charles is like his mother, he will avoid conflict if at all possible. He’s not above doing stuff behind the scenes but I doubt he likes conflict and he certainly wouldn’t invite it with William. As mentioned above, Williams temper is violent and Camilla was reported as being shocked at the way William spoke to his father. I think if Charles was going to shut this stuff down, he would have done so by now. But, I live in hope. I’d love to see William get some comeuppance.
Yeah, it’s highly doubtful that Charles is biding his time to slap down William. If Middleton PR shenanigans (especially Uncle Gary’s constant word vomit) from this spring didn’t motivate him, nothing will.
So Charles saves all of the scheming and machinations for his teenaged wife and her son Harry. Great. He’s such a pathetic weak little man. William is the son he deserves.
Charles had his chance to put William in his place when he started working against Harry and Meghan. HE messed up and is still a wimp. William may be even worse than his father. I feel sorry for the spares in the Cambridge family.
After super success Sussex NY visit, they put Cambridges on the cover. Like why?? Are these people not journalists??
I wondered why People mag would do that,you would think with the Sussexes in state side they would want to keep positive relations.
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Isn’t the new head of people a British Royalist?
My guess is the Keens are willing to do more for People, so they will put them on the cover over the Sussex’s if asked or when they know it’ll be advantageous to the Keens.
I doubt H&M will be as open to a tit for tat with People-type magazines in general now, ya know? They’re keeping everything pretty close to the chest and/or with more “serious” outlets like Time
Yeah People wants exclusives, which the Cambridges are willing to give, so they get the covers because they don’t mind selling themselves constantly.
I think the covers were meant to drown out Prince Harry’s birthday and any good press or initiative that the Sussex’s might do. (a preemptive move to counter a 40×40 success) I do not know when the Sussex’s announced the NYC business trip for vaccine equity but I would think that for a cover story it was already in the works imo, but I may be wrong.
I do not like the seeping of the British racist rags into American broadcasts and publications, it needs be called out and stopped.
@Cessily….I keep saying this: We have been told repeatedly that William is the future King of the UK so why are the PR in America? He isn’t going to be King of the USA…so please STOP. We don’t care about TOB!
Remember that People’s been under the helm of a British editor for the past 2 years. As long as he’s in charge, it’s going to continue sinking into royal sycophant hell.
British royalist. Agreed.
I’m waiting for Kate to be named People’s Most Beautiful. Sexiest Man for William would be too much even for a the editor.
@CourtneyB I am laughing so hard at your comment. William as sexiest man alive.
Laughter aside, here is where I admit I did fill out a poll on twitter on People asking those kinds of questions – I think William was in the category for “sexiest bald man.” I did not select him. I chose the Rock.
If I saw that cover with Will as sexiest man I would start laughing so hard too. I would not buy it of course.
Yeah, paving the way to their destruction and demise.
Well, they do say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions … perhaps in this case it’s paved with keen intentions .
Ooh child the sucking up they are doing! I wish I could say I don’t see him becoming king but I think he will eventually. The people in power are too invested in keeping the status quo. Good luck to him. To quote the Bible “ what does it profit a main to gain the world and lose his soul”.” nothing stays hidden forever.
Are the royals such a draw? Why is People insisting on having William and Kate covers AND their own magazine?
I know the editor is English but it seems excessive. Either they are a sleeper hit OR The Cambridges PR game is even more savage than we suspect.
More and more it seems the Cambridges entered in some sort of agreement with this Brit editor because they know a certain Duke and Duchess do not engage with the British tabloids so they want to “compete” with them this way.
People Magazines caters to the stereotype “moms with minivans class” and their wanna-bees. These women LOVE Kate.
Yes, they should rename the magazine White People.
As a mom with a minivan, I beg to differ!
@Alarmjaguar – I was referring to the “stereotype” not actual moms who drive minivans. I apologize if I offended you or anyone else
I freaking love my minivan lol.
(Bay I’m not offended I just laugh bc i’m basically a walking suburban stereotype….right down to being Becky….I dont really like puffy vests though.)
They cannot raise armies against each other – in the past, a true playwright of Shakespeare’s caliber might have had some fun with these characters and their dynastic strifes, but nowadays they’re reduced to sniping at each other via People Mag. Tell me you are irrelevant without telling me you’re irrelevant, BRF.
@Esmerelda, oh so true. By now someone would have been poisoned or been killed or maimed on the battlefield. And It would be an irrelevant issue because Liz would never make it to this age. All hail modern medicine – and the best of it too.
I don’t know – paving is hard work.
Paving the way forward, all right, into a very bleak future. Brexit is just beginning to wreck life as most Britons know, while the Establishment is determined to shred it more while keeping up its appearance of strength and prestige on a world stage. Scotland is gonna leave, and Commonwealth countries are going to start ditching it. The Queen is the last of the truly prestigious royal figures.
There won’t be much of a UK left by the time William takes the throne, and though I don’t believe the monarchy will ever be abolished (the class system is too entrenched), the taxpayer funding will be cut and the RF will continue to be held hostage by Tabloids and Establishment alike. And William will be a Little England King with no progress whatsoever.
How much does Willy really hate Charles? I don’t see how people Continue to turn a blind eye to how he is trying to step over his father in anything possible to be kingpin. Chucky should have supported his other son over Baldimort because Baldimort won’t stop until he has everything.
Charles made a Big Mistake. I don’t know how he in good conscience could let William drive Harry and Meghan out.
Every “glowing” article about William in these goofy magazines focuses on what he is going to do in the future to modernize the monarchy or whatever. But William is 40 and has been in charge of KP for at least 10 years by now–why don’t they show us what he’s done to modernize his own office? Has he done anything to demonstrate that he’s going to be a breath of fresh air for the stodgy monarchy?
I think it’s very interesting and telling that they hardly ever tell us anything solid about William or his personality or his interests or anything at all. Does he read books? Listen to music? Study languages? Or do anything at all besides frown at Kate, pray for Harry’s downfall, and undermine his father? What a waste. He squandered every bit of goodwill he had post-Diana, and that’s a shame.
Lacey just tells us how ancient he is, when he calls a nearly 40 y.o man a ginger youth.
TOBB has done nothing, and it’s becoming more and more visible now that Harry is out. Will and Kate rode on Harrys’ cote-tail for years. He did the work, they showd up to take the credit. Any other person would be ashamed to have so little to show for at that age, but it’s probably how they role in the arist circles. No work and all fun makes WillNot a dull boy.
Exactly, Couch Potato. Although I’d add that he never looks like he’s having fun. When Harry was in his party-boy phase, it always looked like he was having a blast.
@SueBarbri – I always felt that Charles hand many interest that he shared with the public. No matter what Charles does, I cannot get rid of the soft spot I have for him due to the many years of work he has undertaken. I know people say that much of what Charles does comes from a selfish motivation but he does done many thinks that have benefitted many people.
As William has done next to nothing, Charles comes out looking very good when compared to his Heir Force 2 son.
charles has at least worked. We can debate what royal work actually is, we can debate the impact of his work, we can debate his personal life all day long (and we do lol), but he has actually worked for the past 50 years and is still working.
William on the other hand has done nothing. It’s an interesting comparison to what is being discussed in the Anderson Cooper thread – if you know you’re getting a big inheritance, does that kill your motivation to work and be successful etc?
It really seems like William is just counting on that big inheritance (Duchy of Cornwall and then Lancaster) so doesnt care about anything else. He’s going to be king so meh, why should he work?
@ Becks1, you are probably right. Yet, Baldimort only sees the finish line of being king. He has created this constant campaign by these so-called royal experts, so that he can undermine and steal from his fathers work hoping to capitalize on it. We all know Baldimort is famous for stealing credit for everyone else, especially his brother.
No matter how much you polish a turd, it’s still a turd.
I will hopefully be able to witness when Baldimort, KKWeen bedside him, crash and burn the Monarchy to the ground which eliminates the institution entirely!
Charles lost me when he let William force Harry out and let William and Kate treat Meghan badly.
Oh shit. They actually put “William – not Charles”?!?!? I thought it was something Kaiser added but nope. They actually did that. Seems William is upping his “I want to be King first!!” PR
Lol. All the media fluffing in the world won’t make an iota of difference to the truth, and we all know it. Very much not-racist racist Burgerking is a tyrant who can barely stand to look his wife in the eye. Happy days.
william can’t be both charles’ and diana’s son.
he seems to be in some weird rivalry with his father; and as for diana, well, he’s going to be king of the institution that drove his mother (and brother) away, so…
he’s nothing like diana. sorry but harry’s got the diana legacy locked down (in terms of his personality, their advocacy, and their post-royal trajectories).
btw, willy d. amin won’t be modernising shit. ever. first, he may very well be into his 50s when he becomes king, by which point interest may have passed to his kids. second, it’s the fucking monarchy – it doesn’t modernise. tsk.
also, what “assault” on the monarchy is this old lecher talking about?
every bit of drama and bad press the firm is getting, it has brought on itself…
With much help from The Daily Fail.
It did speak volumes that he used “paranoid” in reference to his mother and Harry did not. William sold his mother out. IMO.
I don’t understand why the Cambridges are so interested in trying to convince America they are the new modern royal couple. Shouldn’t they be concerned about the Commonwealth? The PR campaign doesn’t work on Americans the way it works in the UK. We just don’t care about the royals like they think we do, especially the younger and diverse population. After how they treated Meghan, that ship has sailed. I’m annoyed and irritated by their PR push into the US especially when its not working.
“Shouldn’t they be concerned about the Commonwealth?”
Baldy and Wiglet have nothing in common with the Commonwealth.
To be really honest, Baldy and Wiglet have nothing in common with anyone.
Uh. Here we go again…
This morning W&K visited a petting zoo in Derry – it was pretty amazing to see W’s face relax with no jaw clenching as he played w a snake and looked at a tarantula. It really struck me that W is a boy, still, who has never grown up. That explains his rages, inability to talk things through to get a result he wants–he never grew up and has no grown up skills. He can’t even look at Kate (all dressed up last night) as a grown man would look at a woman, not even on his wedding day and definitely not when they left BP the day after their wedding to ride by helicopter to some other place. A boy.
” it was pretty amazing to see W’s face relax with no jaw clenching as he played w a snake and looked at a tarantula”
Sounds like Willy has found “his people”. 🙂
LOL! He’s comfortable around his own kind.
birds of a feather.
You guys are really insulting the snakes and tarantulas today.
The Daily Fail referred to Kate as Duchess Doolittle when covering this zoo story today.
Wow…Duchess Doolittle from the Daily Fail? I never thought I’d see the day…
I stopped buying People and Us, which is even worse with the Cambridge fawning.
I suspect Wills may be on the spectrum. Never making eye contact, for one. He does not strike me as all there, at any rate. People Mag is dead to me with this cover.
That cover photo! I’m convinced that despite the fawning article, someone on People magazine’s team hates their guts. You can’t tell me they aren’t aware of the derpy face William’s making. And they didn’t bother to photoshop Kate, and this magazine photoshops everyone. They couldn’t have chosen a more unflattering photo of the two if they tried.
And as much as I loathe Charles for what he did to Diana and Harry, he is miles above Cain simply for the fact that he actually works. Yes, the bar is super low, but anyone paying attention knows that William has no legacy to speak of except for his kids. He’s done nothing of note for years and yet he’s been talking about taking on even fewer responsibilities.
I am disappointed in Charles the way he let William drive Harry away. He sat back and watched. And HE is above William in status. He does work but he seems to lack a heart.
Who in the world STILL reads PEOPLE? That’s my big question.
Lol
So… should we be on death watch for Betty? Because this William vs Charles PR war seems to be in full force. Is Will just getting his eggs in a row preemptively, or is she starting to decline, hence the race to sway public opinion in his favour?
I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but it really feels like the press and RF are trying to get the public used to the idea of the Queen being succeeded pretty soon.
Keenbridges are on People Cover…. Sussex’s Time Magazine Cover
Keenbridges attend a movie premiere ……Sussex meet with Governor, Mayor, UN etc.
Keenbridges play with spiders/snakes…..Sussex meet with school children and discuss literacy and provide much needed resources/supplies….. No words needed
For real. People magazine isn’t really H&M’s target audience anyway. I’d much rather be on the Times most influential cover than splashed all over a tabloid.
Isn’t People one of the magazines under Time Inc.?
Also I want to say that it’s taken me all day to read this story, just because it seems so dull and predictable. Oh yes, William, the future king. Oh yes, William, such a modern man. Oh yes, William, he’s better than Charles.
Like….get some new material KP.
Right? At least change up the narrative every now and again. Didn’t the royal edition of this magazine essentially have the same talking points? This sh*t is old news.
Umm…putting out a statement on a matter that involves your family (BBC investigation) is not outspoken. When a person is called ‘outspoken’ admiringly the connotation is that he/she is speaking out on behalf or in support of others—not concerning self. (It’s a given that a person will advocate for him/her self.) Jesus! These people…ugh!
I am wondering why Charles is so passive. Is he unwell? People Magazine trumpeting William as being a future “good King” would or should make Charles cringe. I can’t help but think what C and C thought with Kate’s picture all over the media and fewer of them.
I think William is manipulative, abusive to Charles and Harry, and a dangerous wildcard. Neither QEII nor Charles know how to handle him. They tried to get Harry and Meghan away from William’s control, William blew a lot of gaskets, pulled rank, and Sussex Family left. I blame that minimum 51 percent on William, not QEII or Charles.
HM and Charles could have reined him in. They didn’t. They have a lot to answer for.
Article is a load of tripe. Does this magazine know how monarchies work?