William completed 71 engagements in 2024, down from 172 the previous year. For comparison, Princess Anne—often hailed as the hardest-working royal—managed 217 engagements in the same period.

Generational Strain and Public Expectation

Royal commentator Hilary Fordwich suggested that the Prince and Princess of Wales are feeling the strain of what’s expected of them. Speaking to Fox News Digital, she explained, “[Prince William] is also under huge generational pressure since the increasing public popularity of the monarchy ranks highest for both him and Princess Catherine.”

Tominey’s comments align with earlier reporting from The Scottish Daily Express, which claimed that William declined to attend Pope Benedict XVI’s funeral until King Charles insisted. The report also said the Prince has been avoiding international engagements unless tied to his personal interests, opting instead to remain close to Kate throughout her recovery.

Kate’s Boundaries with the Royal Family

The couple has long prioritized their family over official duties. As Brides Today recalled, royal author Robert Jobson wrote in Catherine, The Princess of Wales: The Biography that Kate was upfront with Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles early on.

Jobson wrote, “She established some fundamental life rules… Her ‘terms’ were in fact presented to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles… She was clear from the outset that she would not be pigeon-holed into carrying out particular duties… her priority, she emphasized, would always be her family.”

Despite growing pressure, it appears William and Kate remain firm in their commitment to maintaining a balance between royal service and protecting their personal lives.