King Charles and Prince William have maintained busy schedules in recent months — Charles visiting Italy and William traveling to Estonia, even standing in for his father at the pope’s funeral in Rome in April.

They’ve appeared together at events like Commonwealth Day, but William and Princess Kate’s choice to skip a private Easter gathering with the rest of the royals stirred speculation, particularly amid reports that Charles disregarded his son’s wishes by extending an invitation to Prince Andrew.

Around the same time, Meghan Markle’s continued use of her HRH title reignited tensions. The Daily Beast reported that William was “enraged” and would firmly put an end to such behavior once he becomes king — suggesting Charles had become too passive and “lost control.”

William’s growing assertiveness has been increasingly evident, especially since Charles’ cancer diagnosis. “William’s voice and influence have become louder and more pronounced in recent years,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told In Touch.

“He is now very much the king in waiting, and his views of how the monarchy should adapt and evolve are being listened to.” While some claim the difference between Charles and William is merely a clash of styles, others believe a deeper, more personal rift is playing out.

As Omid Scobie described in his book Endgame, the “brewing power struggle between the favored prince and the unpopular king is Shakespearean” — a family feud unfolding both publicly and behind closed doors.

At the heart of the divide is their differing approach to handling controversial family members. Bond noted, “I believe William was a significant voice in how Prince Harry and Meghan should be treated, and also in how his uncle, Andrew, should be dealt with,” contrasting with Charles, who is seen as more forgiving.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams added that William’s stance toward Harry “hardened considerably after the way the Sussexes have attacked the royal family,” whereas Charles retains “a certain empathy” for his younger brother — an empathy William “does not share.”

Scobie also revealed that Charles had once sided with Andrew over William, particularly during a 2017 incident when Charles and Andrew reportedly persuaded Queen Elizabeth to dismiss a key aide — a decision some believe could have prevented the fallout from Megxit if the aide had stayed. Fitzwilliams suggested Charles might now regret that move.

Yet internal maneuvering didn’t stop there. According to Endgame, Charles, possibly envious of Harry’s popularity and William’s favorable position in the Firm, allegedly allowed aides to leak stories about his sons. Scobie suggested this ongoing competition for public favor has intensified since Charles became king.

Harry made similar accusations in Spare, and Scobie emphasized that these media distractions mask a deeper story: “I’ve really noticed this kind of growing divide between Charles and William,” he told Business Insider.

Their visions for the monarchy also differ. Fitzwilliams noted, “William will want a changed monarchy which appeals in the future in a different way,” citing generational and stylistic contrasts. William is described as more “diplomatic” and “informal” compared to his father, according to Bond.

Princess Kate is said to be a key figure navigating the tension between the two. “She is solution-focused and is certainly the glue” between William and Charles, royal broadcaster Helena Chard said.

Royal author Robert Jobson described her as a “stabilizing influence” on William, adding that she’s helped him prioritize family alongside duty — a balance that will likely shape their reign as king and queen.

Although William is reportedly in no hurry to ascend the throne, signs of his leadership are becoming clearer. He once told reporters he wanted to put “a smaller ‘r’ in the Royal,” and has since taken on a greater role behind the scenes.

“As soon as Charles bestowed more responsibility on him, William seized the opportunity to make decisions that he feels will benefit the Crown,” a royal insider shared with In Touch, noting his focus on efficiency and budget control. “The word is he’s already on his way to being the toughest ruler the family has ever seen.”

According to Scobie, this anticipation of William’s future reign hasn’t gone unnoticed. In Endgame, he quoted a source who claimed William views his father as a “transitional monarch, paving the way for his arrival” — a sentiment that only adds to the friction within palace walls.