Happy to see Princess Kate doing so well, but...

[JustPassingThyme]

I'm really glad to see Kate doing so well, and I am glad she has finished chemo looking so healthy and happy. However my sister and I cannot stop laughing at the video Kensington Palace have just released.

We think the video has a striking resemblance to the Twilight films, only warm toned and shorter.

Narration - check
Holding hands while lying down in a meadow - check
Tree climbing - check
Stacks of logs - check
Dramatic sweeping shots of trees - check

I was waiting for William to say something really cringy while giving Kate a piggy back ride.

The royal family rely on forelock-tuggers.

Surely if William abdicated, the next in line would be George. We'd need a regent until he turned 18, but he'd be the king.

There may well be more demanding jobs but he still has a job to do. And yes everything he does will be scrutinised from the second he gets there to the second he leaves.

Regardless of the stresses he does need to go to work. He couldn't stay at home with Kate and the kids even if he wanted to.

I do feel for the guy.
We don't know what the prognosis is for his Dad, but lack of statements that all will be fine and his age leads me to think - it's really not good.
He's estranged from his brother, regardless of who's right or who's wrong. He's LC / NC with his brother.
His wife has been going through cancer treatment.

Worse case scenario he could end up on the thrown as a single parent to 3 young kids and very little family support.

Abdication isn't really an option is it, dump it on your kids shoulders. And you brother you don't talk to a regent aye that will work

He still has a job to do? Well yeah! So he should!

He spent most of the summer at home and you’re expecting us to feel sorry for him?

I'm assuming if William abdicated because he didn't fancy it he'd be doing it on behalf of his children too. Bit tight otherwise to swan off and leave it to George.

If William abdicated, who would take over? There is no one. Edward and Anne are elderly now too. Harry is not fit for purpose and lives in another country. George is too young, and I suspect as PP said, he would be abdicating on behalf of his whole family. So who would be next in line? If Catherine died he would have a very lonely hard time .

I’m really sorry for your loss 4andup. That’s so sad. Life is not fair 💐

It would have to go down the line of succession, William could abdicate on behalf of himself and his minor children but not his brother. Unless we start getting into some exciting Wars of the Roses style conflict.

So Henry IX it is. Bring it on!

Although in reality I have no idea what people are going on about when they say he's lazy. I see Charles and William and Catherine, prior to this year, doing just as much as the late Queen did because I don't take enough notice to check if it's more or less. Plus turning up to events isn't the whole job. None of us have any idea what they do behind the scenes. Maybe it's fuck all, maybe they're pulling 9 hour days every day.

What would happen if William abdicated and Harry became king? I know a lot of people would be pissed off-but what would actually change? Wouldn't we just have a marginally better looking figurehead?

Eh? You mean a man who is as thick as a plank, totally indiscreet and who loathes ‘The Institution’? With a wife who has no idea whatsoever about the country’s history or constitution, who doesn’t listen to anyone, dresses inappropriately and is only looking for camera angles? There would be a Revolution. Which might be a good thing. Netflix filming at every available opportunity and Meg inviting celebrities to sit on the throne for a laugh. I can just see it.

If William abdicates I’m pretty certain he can only do so on his behalf. Not on his children’s. I seem to remember this from my constitutional law/history days.

George would probably be mightily relieved not to have to be King and follow his father’s lead.

I’m almost certain that’s what happens. The late Queen’s father didn’t want to step up; it just fell to him. Many say that’s why the Queen’s sense of duty was so strong as she’d seen her father have to take it on when he really didn’t want it .

Quite possibly. Which is why he wouldn't. Can't see him saying he doesn't fancy it and swanning off to freedom leaving all the responsibility he doesn't want to George.

William could only abdicate on behalf of himself.
He cannot abdicate on behalf of George.
The next adult in line would be Harry.

Abdicating would be a pretty shameful thing to do. Keeping in mind his Granny took on the role at just 25 and was working days before she died. His own Dad has taken it on when most are hitting retirement.
He's not even going to consider abdication.

Yes George looks a nice boy but sometimes at official engagements his expression looks a bit a bit dismayed and kind of “what even happened that I’m having to do this?” Charlotte looks like a chip off the late Queen’s block . Louis … that could be wild ride, but fun perhaps?

I don’t think it’s an option either. They will have been raised to feel that Edward’s abdication was a bit of a betrayal of birthright that thrust responsibility on others not expecting if.

@GorgeousTulips But what would actually happen? What damage could he do?

Yup and that betrayal of birthright will be part of the issue between William and Harry.
Harry said in one of the interviews his Dad and William are trapped.

Harry walking away means William doesn't even have support from his own generation beyond Kate.

Although he could end up asking some of his cousins to step up as working Royals as he did recently. I can't remember who but one of the Garden Parties he had cousins at it as they need at least 3 Royals to get round everyone.

Incidentally, I don't see William abdicating as remotely shameful. The concept of "duty" has been wholly destructive to his family-who could blame him if he decided not to buy into such a damaging construct for himself and especially for his children?

Abdication won't effect his children he cannot abdicate for them

Unfortunately you come across as a bit of a childish dick op. You can’t stop laughing , really?

ok then, sometimes when you’re being a bit of a dick it’s best not to go on line and tell the world.

And William won’t abdicate, not just as he doesn’t want George in the chair yet, but because he was born to the role and from what I understand takes his responsibility and duty very seriously.

It certainly would affect them, George would become king years before he was expecting to. The question then being if William can't abdicate on behalf of George even though he's still a minor can George abdicate on his own behalf or as a minor is he considered unable to make that decision? So William gets to walk away but George is stuck with it, with a Regent, until he's 18?

Fascinating hypothetical questions.

He wouldn't never do it. It would completely go against everything that he has been raised for.
And the people he respects.

It would mean George taking it on at just 18. No uni, time in the army or buzzing around in helicopters growing up away from the spotlight for him.

But the thought of losing his Dad and wife and taking the thrown with 3 young kids must have given him a few sleepless nights over the last 6mths