Prince William: A historian reveals the radical way he could change the monarchy

Prince William might currently be out of action in order to look after his wife as she recovers from surgery but it doesn’t prevent royal commentators from making suggestions about him.

Just a couple of weeks ago, in mid-January 2024, royal author Robert Hardman suggested that when Prince William ascended the throne he would ‘break official ties with the Church of England’. Of course, such a claim made significant waves among royal ranks and Prince William was immediately warned not to do so by royal commentators.

Now, a historian has decided to step in and explain how Prince William already shows signs of the changes he could bring to the monarchy.

A historian says Prince William will make changes

Talking to Daily Express US, royal historian Marlene Koenig explains that she has already noted some signs that Prince William will be doing things differently once he’s on the throne.

She explains:

We’re going to see less of what I call ‘bread and butter’ engagements, we’re going to see far less of them opening hospitals.

According to the historian, Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, will focus more on causes that they profoundly care about. She explains that this drastic way of approaching royal work isn’t innate to Prince William but that it actually comes from his father.

Charles started it in a way with The Prince’s Trust, focusing on particular areas of importance.

Koenig argues that this choice to single out causes instead of spreading a royal thin is part of the monarchy’s quest for relevance. She comments further:

I think, William, sees the change in the monarchy is to make it more relevant, focusing on certain issues, here and there.

The challenge with that is: royals will have to pick the right causes.

Prince William’s desire for change

Marlene Koenig’s comments directly align with what the Prince himself stated back in November 2023 when attending the Earthshot Prize in Singapore. At the time, the heir to the throne had given an interview in which he stated:

I want to go a step further – I want to actually bring change and I want to bring people to the table who can do the change if I can't do it.

In the same interview, he acknowledged his family’s prior work which consisted of ‘highlighting lots’. Indeed, royals have a multitude of patronages and are expected to care and attend events for all of them.

In November 2023, the Prince hinted that his desire to go ‘deeper and longer’ into causes could mean that royals would focus on less. He explained that it was crucial to ‘remain focused’ and work on something longer rather than ‘just having loads of causes that you sort of turn up and keep an eye on’.

On that topic, Marlene Koenig seems to also hint at the fact that, under Prince William’s reign, there would be fewer public engagements but that the ones that would happen would be more significant. However, there is a challenge with that: the Prince and Princess of Wales are often criticised for their lack of public engagements.

In December 2023, the number of engagements attended by each Royal Family member was revealed and the Waleses were vehemently called out for their low numbers. Indeed, in 2023 they respectively performed 172 and 123 engagements which can seem like a lot until you compare it to Princess Anne’s 457.

This led to the couple being called ‘lazy’. Of course, by the time Prince William gets the crown, public opinion will have changed so no one can know now how this possible plan would be received.

Read more:

⋙ Kate Middleton, Princess Charlotte and Princess Anne: Can these women ensure the future of the monarchy?

⋙ Prince William and Kate Middleton: What is this rare privilege the couple is rumoured to receive?

⋙ Princess Anne: This is how the royal has become King Charles right-hand woman

Sources:

Daily Mail: Could Prince William be first monarch in five centuries NOT to be head of the Church of England? Future King isn't a regular churchgoer and 'is not instinctively comfortable in a faith environment'

Express: Prince William making changes to the monarchy - and it means fewer public engagements

Hello!: Prince William wants to 'go a step further' than royal family to support his causes

Express: Princess Kate and Prince William slammed as 'lazy' for lack of 2023 engagements