Prince William is a beacon of strength despite ‘heavy burden’ – analysis by Cameron Walker

Prince William is a beacon of strength despite ‘heavy burden’ – analysis by Cameron Walker

WATCH NOW: Cameron Walker details support offered by Meghan and Harry to Kate

GB News
Cameron Walker

By Cameron Walker


Published: 25/03/2024

- 14:59

The Prince of Wales is 'expected to be out of the public eye' for a short period

  • Prince William is a key pillar of support for his wife, Princess Kate
  • The public has immense support for the Prince and Princess of Wales
  • Have your say: Has your support and respect for Prince William increased? Just click the comment button above now

Put yourself in Prince William's shoes, for a moment.

When he was just a teenager, aged 15, he lost his mother in the most horrific circumstances.


William and his brother, Harry, had to navigate the intense public interest together as they grew into men.

That mutual support has since melted away, with an actual ocean separating the once close siblings.

Prince William and Princess Kate

Prince William has been praised for his strength

Getty / PA

The Prince of Wales has, in effect, lost his brother too.

On Friday, shortly after the Princess of Wales made her cancer diagnosis public, Prince Harry and Meghan said: "We wish health and healing for Kate and the family, and hope they are able to do so privately and in peace."

The Sussexes can perhaps empathise with Catherine and William, who have been the victims of unfair social media harassment in the months leading up to the princess's video message to the nation.

Still, empathy is where the support is likely to stop - 90 per cent of GB News members think Prince Harry should not return to the UK to support his brother.

The Prince of Wales has a heavy burden on his shoulders; his father, King Charles, and wife, Catherine, are both battling cancer.

William is one of only two senior royals who are currently carrying out public engagements - the other being Queen Camilla.

At the same time, the prince has three young children to care for, who have recently learned their mother is undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

Prince William

Prince William has continued royal duties despite his wife's cancer diagnosis

Reuters

Royal sources say the priority for the Prince and Princess of Wales is their three children, who waited until Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five were on their Easter holidays and protected at home, before telling the world about the state of Catherine's health.

Yet William's critics continue to call out what they see as "work-shy Willy" due to his decision to put his children first.

It has become clear over the weekend that the public overwhelmingly supports the Prince and Princess of Wales's desire for privacy for the sake of their children, and many would agree it is only right to cut William some slack.

We now know his last-minute absence from his godfather's (King Constantine II) memorial service was due to his wife's cancer diagnosis.

Let's take a look at some of William's achievements, despite supporting his wife through major abdominal surgery and looking after his children.

The prince was instrumental in helping secure a deal between catering giant Levy and Earthshot Prize winner Notpla to supply 75 million seaweed-based food packaging items over the next three years to stadiums and entertainment venues across the country.

This is expected to dramatically cut plastic waste and help meet their ambitious climate targets.

Kate MiddletonKate was hospitalised for 13 days earlier this yearGetty

The Prince of Wales set up the Earthshot Prize to identify and scale solutions to repair the planet between 2020 and 2030.

Earlier this month, Prince William also celebrated the launch of the Earthshot Prize Launchpad, a new platform to match big investors to small companies which need help to expand their climate change solutions.

William said he wanted "to mobilise the enormous power of innovators, wherever they are in the world".

The prince has also kept a close eye on the progress of his Homewards plan, an ambition to demonstrate it is possible to end homelessness, making the issue rare, brief and unrepeated.

Last week, William's initiative was boosted by £1million from DIY retailer Homebase who pledged 1,500 Home Starter Packs (paint, furniture, flooring and furnishings), to help tenants turn a dwelling into a home.

In Sheffield last week, one of six Homewards locations in the UK forming blueprints to demonstrate homelessness can be ended, Prince William said he wanted to ease the "pressure" on local councils.

Homewards is seen as a huge part of William's public work, and encourages residents, landlords, local authorities and private companies to work together to help people without a permanent home.

LATEST ROYAL NEWS

Prince William, Princess Kate, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle

Harry and Meghan sent well wishes to Kate after she announced her cancer diagnosis

PA

In private, Prince William can count on the support of his close family.

In recent years, he has grown very close to his father, the King, and less senior members of the Royal Family will be on hand to ease some of the burden.

The Middleton family will also be on hand to help; Catherine's parents are likely to be not too far away.

The Princess of Wales's younger brother, James Middleton, posted a childhood photograph of the pair on Instagram after her cancer disclosure and said: "Over the years, we have climbed many mountains together. As a family, we will climb this one with you too."

The Prince of Wales is expected to be out of the public eye until his children return to school after the Easter break.

He is then expected to balance his time between supporting his wife and children, and carrying out public engagements.

Prince William knows his destiny, and his wife and children will be a key part of supporting him in his future role as King.

For now, it is his turn to support them as a husband and father.

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