Key change King Charles made for Prince William to have more freedom – but he’s unlikely to use it, claims expert
WHEN you are in the royal family there’s a lot of protocol you have to follow and restrictions on what you can and can’t do.
However, King Charles recently made a change that would allow Prince William to have more freedom – but he may not be taking full advantage yet.
The monarch is currently on a trip to Australia and Samoa with Queen Camilla as they undertake their first official royal tour there after Charles ascended to the throne.
Meanwhile, back in the UK Prince William and Kate Middleton currently have their kids off school for their half-term holidays.
But it is unlikely they will be jetting abroad for the holidays, according to editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine Ingrid Seward.
She told Fabulous: “I suspect they will be in Norfolk rather than Mustique as the King is out of the country.
“William is a councillor of state so needs to be in the UK when his father is not around.”
In 2022, MPs backed a new law allowing Princess Anne and Prince Edward to stand in for King Charles at official engagements.
Ingrid explained: “They were appointed as senior working royals who could deputise as well.
“So strictly William does not have to be here if they are.
“He could go abroad but might not be wise at this particular juncture.”
Princes Andrew and Harry are also on the list of stand-ins, even though both have stood down as working royals.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Oliver Dowden, told the Commons: “This is a Bill that supports the monarch, our head of state, in discharging his constitutional duties.
“This Bill guarantees the continuity which we in government and Parliament depend upon to serve the British people.”
Wills’ upcoming trip
While William, Kate, George, Charlotte and Louis may be spending half term in the UK, the Prince of Wales does have a big overseas trip pending.
The future king will travel to South Africa for the Earthshot Prize Awards, which are taking place on November 6.
During the visit, Princess Kate will remain in the UK to look after the kids.
Princess Kate did not attend last year’s Earthshot awards in Singapore as Prince George was said to be sitting exams at the time.
However, she had joined William at the previous two award ceremonies in London and Boston.
The Princess of Wales, 42, has been resting at home following the completion of her chemotherapy treatment.
She’s so far undertaken two engagements as part of her phased return, including meeting cancer victim Liz Hatton, 16, and visiting the families of those affected by the Southport attack earlier this year.
Kate, 42, said she was entering “this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life”.
The Princess said she was “looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months” but added her focus was “doing what I can to stay cancer free”.
Timeline of Kate's health battle & recovery
Jan 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery
Jan 17: Kensington Palace announce the princess underwent surgery
Jan 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside
Jan 23: The princess’ hospital stay passes one week
Jan 29: Kate leaves hospital
Feb 27: Prince William pulls out of service last-minute due to ‘personal matter’, sparking wave of unfounded conspiracy theories about Kate’s health
Mar 4: Princess pictured in the car with mum Carole on the Windsor estate
Mar 10: Royal posts a sweet snap of her and the kids for Mother’s Day – then fans started spotting flaws, and massive agencies put out ‘kill notice’ on photo
Mar 11: Kate admits she edited photo, and is snapped in car with William
Mar 16: Royal fans spot the princess at farm shop near Windsor
Mar 17: Onlookers see Kate watching her youngsters playing sport
Mar 18: The Sun exclusively published video of Kate and Wills from two days prior
Mar 22: Kate bravely reveals in an emotional video that she was given a shock cancer diagnosis
April 29: Kate and William mark 13th anniversary releasing unseen wedding photos
June 8: Kate does not attend Colonel’s Review but letter she penned to Irish Guards reveals she said: “I do hope that I am able to represent you all once again very soon”
June 14: Kensington Palace announces the princess will attend the King’s Birthday Parade
June 15: Kate beams as she joins her family at the annual Trooping the Colour event
July 14: The royal attends Wimbledon with sister Pippa and Princess Charlotte to hand out trophies to players
July 15: Kate shares a touching photo of Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis watching England in the Euro 2024 final
August 11: She joins a bearded Prince William in a video to congratulate Team GB in the Olympics
September 9: Kate reveals her treatment for cancer has finished