William's non attendance to important events

[Spectre8]

Since there is a flurry of discussion on another thread its probably best to create a thread for it to take place here and not derail another one.

So William is not attending a number of important events the recent one being the VJ day..lots of you think he should have after all he is the future King and if he can't make time for these things then it begs the question what is the point of them?

So discuss away...what should he turning up to, what is his actual role if he starts to not do these types of things...

Just imaging a post on here from the mother of three with cancer saying her husband is constantly popping off abroad on business. He'd be called all the heartless bastards under the sun.

Let him support his wife and kids, he's got a long life in front of him attending events unless something tragic happens.

@jeffgoldblumhasnt tried to derail the thread at all

Spectre8 has gotten exactly what she wanted though

Catherine has been cancer free since January.

The King, the Gloucesters, and the Duchess of Edinburgh all have patronages linked to the war in the far East so it made sense for them to carry out formal duties for VJ day.
Having said that, I do think that William has misstepped by not being seen as part of the commemoration this year, as it's likely to be one of the last with veterans there.

At the micro level it’s meeting with citizens across the four nations, highlighting their successes, show casing the best of the UK, talking to people and getting their opinions and current feelings about their lives and feeding that information up the chain or using the monarch’s convening power to bring elements from government, business and non profits to help tackle a problem.

@wordler I think much of what PPoW do is on this level, though not officially reported in the Court Circular. If you read articles where people have been dealing with them over months and years (wrt Royal Foundation work, Earthshot, more recently the Duchy) there is consistent feedback that they know what they're talking about, listen and make changes. The convening power is especially important in something like Earthshot, for example.

I agree that a full look at what we expect from the head of state and which assets are managed and publicly funded is overdue.

I think the late Queen's long reign and that she had four children who were the first British royals born after the age of deference was over, and long after you could marry them off to other countries royal children to make alliances.

All at the same time as the emergence and growth of broadcast then internet media - it helped create this image of 'The Royal Family' encouraging people to focus on the soap opera element rather than the constitutional monarchy element.

Now it should be possible to bring up the non direct heir line to fully expect to do well at school, get qualifications and have a serious plan for a more regular working life.

So you think he should have less time with his children because other people can't have as much time as him? Surely every loving parent wants to have the maximum they can, why should he be different.

I think the point still stands though that if they want to do more of the private, behind the scenes work, they should step back, take advantage of their immense wealth (which they would keep) and become private citizens. We don’t have royals to do a lot of behind the scenes work. The point of a royal family is to be public facing.

Yes, I do. Social media, YouTube, letters to local papers, emails to KP. They could start a Mumsnet thread called I'm Welsh and I'm pissed at the POW.

You have no more idea than I do about the ongoing state of her health, she had surgery, the psychological damage fearing she might not live to see her children grow up. It seems incredibly nasty to begrudge the woman all the time she needs to heal and the time for both parents to have with their children after such a trying time.

Then, again.

if she wants to recover in private she should step back entirely, stop accepting the jobs she likes, and take a pay cut. Like anyone else would have to.

As if!

They have more decorum

Those are very interesting stats.

The King has always worked hard, as did the late Queen, and as do Princess Anne, Edward and Sophie. I have felt for a while that William and Kate don’t seem to be as active but seeing it in black and white is quite striking.

No denying they’ve been through the wringer recently, and I really feel for William losing his grandparents then having both this wife and father diagnosed with cancer at the same time. For someone who lost his mum so young it must be particularly challenging and all in just a supremely shitty time.

That said, they do have a job, and the duties that go with their position and it’s odd they would be allowed to take such a back seat for so long - which leads me to think it has been decided that William might become King sooner than expected and they’ve been given permission to enjoy some time off while they can.

Sadly cancer free after finishing chemo last year doesn't mean it has gone forever. I think a lot of us will know people of similar ages to Kate who went through something similar and the outcome wasn't great.

Also the whole - William didn't work as hard - he isn't going to do loads of engagements - he won't be opening new sewage works as clearly doesn't want to go down that route.

I suspect he would like to say how things will change with him but obviously can't whilst Charles is still in charge. Is a bit of a tricksy situation.

Some cancers such as blood cancers or colorectal cancer can have profound long term health issues post treatment.
https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/coping/physically/fatigue/what-is-cancer-fatigue

So not calling your RF to account is called decorum? Not much shown on this thread using that definition. 😁

Why should she? Because you say so? I'm quite happy for her to take on less while she feels the need. I don't think you are the final arbiter of what is right.

He has always taken a back seat.

same as Harry, he averaged about 120-150 a year, but he was obviously the “spare” so not quite as much for him to be doing.

I don’t know how he’s gotten away with it for so long.

Because she is a public servant at the end of the day and she is making a mockery of the royal family.

Not many people have that luxury though, it’s back to work and no holidays because money is tight after being on SSP etc.

I’d start it.

i was born in wales. My family are Welsh. I’m bloody disgusted that they can’t be bothered to turn up for those who fought for our freedom.

No, she's not. She's done what was expected of her and shown grace in the face of a tremendous amount of abuse.

Maybe Catherine or Charles have had a negative update on their cancer diagnoses….

How do you know this? Genuine question. They always seem so private.

You think she's making a mockery of the royal family. I know it must be shocking to you but not everyone agrees with you. Lots of people think it is good that she has time to recover and spend time with her children.

She’s quietly quit her job.