Prince William and Kate Middleton are reportedly causing internal tensions at Buckingham Palace as senior staff grow increasingly frustrated with the couple’s hands-on parenting approach and desire to chart their own course.
According to veteran royal expert Camilla Tominey, the Prince and Princess of Wales are “under growing pressure to up their workload,” as senior aides privately complain that the couple may be prioritizing time with their three young children over their royal duties.
The claims come at a time when the monarchy is already under immense strain, with both King Charles and Kate Middleton recently returning to public life after cancer battles. Despite those personal challenges, the royal household reportedly expects the younger royals to step up—and many are not happy with what they perceive as a lack of urgency.
Tominey claims that the palace staff are beginning to feel uneasy with how the future king and queen “insist on doing things their own way.” That autonomy, while seen by supporters as a modernizing force within the monarchy, is said to be creating cracks behind the scenes, particularly with more traditional aides.
Concerns escalated after Kate made a surprise solo appearance at the new V&A East Storehouse in East London this week. Without Prince William at her side, Kate toured the cultural hub, exploring its archives and praising the new space for allowing public access to over 600,000 historic objects.
In a statement shared via the official Instagram account of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Kate remarked, “Celebrating the joy of creative opportunity and craft at the V&A East Storehouse. Great to see these incredible collections are now accessible to everyone.”
The appearance was met with praise from the public, especially given the Princess’ ongoing recovery from cancer. But behind palace walls, sources say the royal couple’s more relaxed schedule—often designed to allow time with their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—has become a point of contention.
Royal insiders reportedly worry that the couple’s carefully curated appearances, while impactful, are too infrequent for senior working royals in waiting. One aide allegedly commented, “There’s a concern that they’re picking and choosing engagements instead of fully carrying the torch.”
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But the situation isn’t so black and white. With both Charles and Kate dealing with serious health issues this year, the royal family’s operations have been pared back by necessity. In that context, William and Kate’s approach may be more about sustainability than shirking responsibility.
Supporters of the couple argue they’re redefining what it means to be a royal in the modern era—focusing on long-term impact over relentless visibility. Kate’s dedication to early childhood development, and William’s push for mental health and environmental causes, are both examples of this shift.
Moreover, the royal couple has been praised for protecting their children’s privacy and mental well-being, making deliberate efforts to balance royal duty with normalcy—a move many believe is inspired by the hardships William faced during his own childhood in the spotlight.
Still, the tension is palpable. With events like Trooping the Colour approaching and global eyes on the Royal Family’s every move, the pressure for William and Kate to visibly step up may only intensify.
For now, the couple remains silent on the swirling rumors of staff discontent. Their recent engagements—including William’s solo leadership at a Windsor investiture ceremony and Kate’s V&A visit—suggest they are moving at their own pace.
But with senior aides reportedly pushing for more, the question remains: will William and Kate bend to palace pressure, or continue carving out their own version of royalty?
Either way, the spotlight is brighter than ever—and the stakes, for the monarchy’s future, are incredibly high.
