12 February 2024 , 16:50
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Prince William "really can't win" as he is forced to juggle his royal duty amid King Charles' cancer diagnosis with the Princess of Wales' recovery from surgery, it has been claimed.
The heir to the throne returned to royal duties last week after clearing his diary when Kate was admitted to hospital last month for abdominal surgery. Last week, King Charles' cancer diagnosis was made public, with the monarch being forced to cancel and postpone upcoming public duties. It is thought that William may step in to represent his father at events, but no engagements are scheduled at the moment and the royal palaces will make arrangements if the need arises.
Prince William alongside his father King Charles (Getty Images)However, it comes at a time when the Prince of Wales also has to contend with caring for his wife and looking after their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. And a source told The Telegraph, this has put William in a very sticky situation - especially when it comes to "stepping up". They pointed out: "William can't really win on this one. Either he keeps calm and carries on with his own programme, and people say he isn’' stepping up. Or he steps up, and people think he is trying to be King-like or - worse - that his father isn’t capable and needs him to step up."
Meanwhile, a source close to William added: "This week has been a reminder that yes they [the Royal Family] are in these public positions, but they’re also human beings. Think about it: his life partner who he’s been with since university has had major surgery. They have three children and all of the worry about keeping things normal for them. Then on top of that, you find out your father has cancer."
It comes as according to The Sunday Times, there is a "slight sense of bewilderment" in some royal circles over William fiercely protecting his diary. But a source close to him told the publication: "At times like this, it is a reminder that as well as being the future head of state, he is also a human being. He is processing the news of his father having cancer as a human being. Given the seriousness with which he takes his role, of course, it is something he will be thinking about."
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Meanwhile, Kate is said to be "recovering well" after leaving Windsor for the first time since coming home after surgery. Kate, 42, returned home to Adelaide Cottage in January, 13 days after surgery at The London Clinic, where she was reunited with her children.
After more than a week resting in Windsor, she along with William and the children have headed to their Anmner Hall home in Norfolk in order to spend the half-term holidays there. A source told the Daily Mail: "Catherine is recovering well. She was looking forward to a change of scene and will be able to take it easy in Norfolk while the children let off steam with William."
Also close by at Sandringham is the King and he may be able to spend time with William, Kate and his grandchildren during their week off school. Yesterday, the monarch attended church with Queen Camilla in his first public outing since the announcement of his cancer diagnosis. Charles has postponed all public-facing duties but is continuing with behind-the-scenes work on his red boxes of state papers. On Saturday, the King thanked people for their "many messages of support and good wishes" and said it was "equally heartening" to hear how sharing his diagnosis has helped to promote public understanding of cancer.