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Princess Anne is reportedly advocating for her nephew, Prince William, to abandon a habit that she finds troubling. Several royal experts shared insights with Fox News Digital that Anne, known as the hardest-working royal, hopes William will step up his efforts as he prepares for his future role as king.
Royal commentator Ian Pelham Turner pointed out that William has faced past allegations of being work-shy. Anne, unflinching in her approach, is determined to see her nephew adopt a stronger work ethic. Turner remarked that the image of the perfect prince could be at risk, stating, “My natural reaction is that Princess Anne will win this battle.”
This commentary aligns with a recent profile of Anne published by The Sunday Times ahead of her 75th birthday next month. The article highlighted that his work ethic occasionally frustrates Anne, especially regarding their shared royal duties.
Unnamed sources close to the princess have indicated that she wishes to see William engage more in essential royal functions such as investitures. These ceremonies, a significant aspect of royal duties, are often held at Windsor Castle, close to William’s residence at Adelaide Cottage.
“She’s still doing most of the investitures at Windsor even though William lives there,” a source explained. “It annoys her.”
According to royal family documentation, investitures involve senior royals presenting medals to individuals recognized for their contributions to society. The royal family conducts approximately 30 such ceremonies annually.
Amanda Matta, a royal commentator, elaborated on Anne’s perspective, saying, “Princess Anne’s well-deserved reputation stems from her ability to carry out everyday royal engagements without fanfare or praise.” She emphasized that it likely irritates Anne to see William, who resides nearby, neglecting these responsibilities while she continues to fulfill them into her mid-70s.
Matta further suggested, “With fewer working royals available to carry out significant engagements like investitures, Anne probably wishes William would assume more of the foundational royal work, rather than focusing solely on high-profile tours.” Understanding the importance of steady, day-to-day duties, Matta noted that this is what sustains the monarchy’s relevance.
She continued, “We’re witnessing two different generations define ‘royal duty’ in contrasting ways. Anne embodies the motto ‘just get on with it,’ while William appears more concerned about the meaning behind each event for the crown’s future.”
In spite of her reported frustrations, Anne remains unwaveringly supportive of William, the future king. A source stated that she holds a deep fondness for him and intends to continue working alongside him as he ascends the throne.
This sentiment of mutual respect is echoed by others, including British royal expert Hilary Fordwich, who told Fox News Digital, “Even if there is any annoyance, there’s mutual respect as well as affection between Princess Anne and Prince William.”
Fordwich noted, “Princess Anne is firmly supportive of Prince William’s future as king. She admires his dedication and commitment to the crown and his dedication to being a good family man.”
As William evolves into his royal responsibilities, Fordwich anticipates greater collaboration for future royal events, particularly at Windsor. She commented, “There is a balance to bear in mind between Prince William’s focus on his family and the traditional ceremonial approach Princess Anne has maintained.”
For his part, William has prioritized being present for his children, including his eldest son Prince George, who is second in line for the throne. Fordwich remarked, “By all accounts, Prince George is well-adjusted and a fine king in waiting. This is one of Prince William’s most important roles – to raise a great king.”
Reports indicate that Anne is set to conduct the most investiture ceremonies in 2025. In 2023, she participated in more engagements than any other royal family member, carrying out 457 royal duties, solidifying her status as the hardest-working royal for the third consecutive year.
In contrast, William has faced criticism for limiting his royal appearances, with accusations of being work-shy resurfacing. Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, acknowledged these criticisms in his memoir, detailing how they emerged during a particularly busy period in William’s life.
Harry highlighted that “the papers were awash with stories about Willy being lazy” during a time when William was focused on raising his growing family, making the criticism deeply unfair. “He did as much as Pa wanted him to do, and sometimes that wasn’t much,” Harry stated.
In May, historian Ed Owens observed that William has been striving to enhance his public image. The 43-year-old has participated in high-profile events, including meeting world leaders and representing the monarchy at significant ceremonies.
Shannon Felton Spence, a former British public affairs official, elaborated on William and Catherine’s challenges in maintaining a balance between family life and royal duties. “They have long been accused of being work-shy, stemming from a deep desire to provide a normal life for their family,” she explained. “However, with a smaller monarchy, they will be expected to fulfill multiple roles.”
She added, “Even though they are duty-driven and genuinely eager to serve, the public expect to see them during inconvenient times, creating a perpetual conflict where the crown must come first.”
Looking ahead, Anne has expressed her intention to continue fulfilling her royal duties, planning to remain active in her engagements until the age of 80, before gradually stepping back.
As her career progresses, Anne embodies a steadfast commitment to royal service, illustrating a legacy of hard work and dedication to the crown.
