Buckingham Palace has come under fire after releasing a glossy new guide that many royal supporters say fails to properly reflect the future of the monarchy. The 64-page booklet, filled with full-color images of royal history and engagements, has drawn unexpected criticism for the way it represents senior royals.
The official publication was intended to highlight the rich traditions of the monarchy and showcase the family’s ongoing role in national life. Yet, instead of celebrating the royals who will one day take the throne, critics argue that the guide gives disproportionate attention to Prince Harry, who stepped back from royal duties in 2020.
Royal watchers were quick to notice that Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, appear in only three photographs throughout the entire guide. Supporters of the couple expressed dismay that the heirs to the throne who represent the monarchy’s future were given what many see as minimal space.
Among the few images included are a 2011 wedding photograph of William and Kate, a formal banquet image from 2022, and a composite page that pairs their wedding portrait alongside a photo of the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. While these snapshots are significant, critics argue they hardly represent the couple’s years of service and growing influence.
By contrast, Prince Harry, who left royal life to settle in California with Meghan Markle, features in three separate photographs. One of the most prominent shows him engaging with veterans during a Walking With The Wounded event in 2015, underlining his long-standing ties to military causes.
Another image depicts Harry attending a children’s garden party in 2017, where William and Kate were also present. Some royal followers insist this framing gives Harry more visibility than the Prince and Princess of Wales, who have remained devoted to full-time duties.
The decision to include Harry so prominently has raised eyebrows, particularly given the ongoing tensions between the Sussexes and the rest of the royal family. Many critics questioned why King Charles would approve a guide that appears to elevate his estranged younger son while seemingly sidelining his elder son and daughter-in-law.
“It makes no sense,” one pro-monarchy commentator remarked online. “William and Kate are the future of the Crown. They should be front and center, not relegated to a handful of pages while Harry, who abandoned royal life, gets nearly equal representation.”
Supporters of William and Kate argue that the imbalance in representation could unintentionally send the wrong message about the monarchy’s priorities. With Kate Middleton currently balancing royal duties alongside her ongoing health journey, and William taking on more responsibility from his father, their absence from such a high-profile publication feels like a glaring oversight.
Some royal analysts believe the inclusion of Harry’s photographs may have been an attempt by Buckingham Palace to project unity. Highlighting Harry’s past contributions, they argue, might be a subtle way of showing that he still holds a place in the monarchy’s history, even if his future role remains uncertain.
However, this interpretation has not silenced critics. Many insist that the monarchy can no longer afford to appear divided, and that too much focus on Harry risks overshadowing the steady presence of William and Kate.
The debate comes at a delicate time for King Charles, who is navigating his own health challenges while working to secure stability for the monarchy. His approval of the guide, according to insiders, was meant to highlight continuity. Yet the outcome has instead exposed rifts in how the monarchy’s image is being managed.
For now, Buckingham Palace has remained silent on the criticism, leaving royal fans to speculate on whether future editions of the guide will give William and Kate the prominence many believe they deserve. What is clear is that any misstep in royal imagery no matter how unintentional can spark fierce debate about the monarchy’s future.
The controversy underscores just how closely every royal move is watched, analyzed, and judged. For King Charles, the challenge lies in balancing the monarchy’s long history with its present reality and ensuring that the next generation, represented by Prince William and Princess Kate, is not lost in the shuffle.
