Behind Prince Charles and Prince William’s developing bond
Prince Charles and Prince William’s relationship has not always been smooth sailing, but Prince Harry’s absence seems to have brought the two closer together.
Royal observers noted that in their rare joint tour of the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre in Nottinghamshire last month, the Duke of Cambridge and his father appeared relaxed around each other, with “very visible bond”.
The Prince of Wales helped his son try out wheelchair basketball at the centre, pushing his wheelchair closer to the ring and rubbing his shoulders.
“One sensed a spontaneous warmth between them,” Prince Charles’ biographer Sally Bedell Smith told Vanity Fair.
“Apart from the very visible bond, there’s plenty of evidence indicating a closer alignment between Charles and William. During the crisis over Prince Andrew’s scandals last year, both the Queen and Prince Charles ensured that Prince William played an active role in the decision-making.
“That cooperation was also apparent in hammering out an agreement with Harry and Meghan to leave their official duties with the royal family.”
Royal commentator Katie Nicholl said the closeness was likely due to the father-and-son’s similar roles in the royal family rather than the departure of the Duke of Sussex.
“I think there is an understanding between Charles and William that they are both heirs, that they have a sense of duty and responsibility and for many years that William resented that sense of duty, he saw it as a burden,” Nicholl told 9Honey.
“Since getting married, since becoming a father himself, since having that stability in his life, it’s something that he’s embraced. And I think that connected him with his father. Given the drama, the changes in recent months, I think it probably has brought William and Charles together, they have to stick together.”
Social media expert Meg Coffey said the two royals’ display of unity reflect their increasingly active role as future monarchs.
“The Royal Family need to be conscious of public scrutiny and override the negative reporting with positive reporting, so definitely from Prince Charles and Prince William’s camps we are seeing a united front, with both being openly vocal in their support of each other and the monarchy,” Coffey told Over60.
“To ensure the future of the monarchy Charles and Will know they need to put on a united front amid anything that could be perceived as potentially damaging the future of the crown.
“We can assume that they will continue to be united in that goal as they both continue to take on more and more of an active role as they both get ever nearer to taking on the role of King themselves.”