As they prepare for their future roles on the throne, the Prince and Princess of Wales are continuing to set themselves apart from previous generations of the royal family — both in how they engage with the public and how they manage their household.

This week’s release of the Sovereign Grant Report, an annual breakdown of royal finances, has once again highlighted how William and Kate are doing things their own way — this time by taking a noticeably different approach to transparency.

Unlike King Charles III, who for years has disclosed detailed information about his household staff, the Prince and Princess of Wales opted to keep certain specifics private. Their report listed only a total headcount of 68 employees, without elaborating on the roles or positions involved.

It’s a departure from the more traditional, meticulous disclosures of Charles, who routinely shared how many gardeners, chefs, housekeepers, and butlers were on staff. William also chose not to reveal details of his personal tax bill this year — another break from precedent.

Some observers see this shift as an effort to maintain a degree of privacy for the young royal family, especially while the couple is raising their three children. Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis are all still in school, and with Kate currently undergoing a gradual return to royal duties, a lighter public footprint may be deliberate.

A more personal approach to public life

Despite the tighter privacy around official data, the couple continues to be among the most accessible and engaging members of the royal family in their day-to-day interactions.

Just this week, during a visit to Colchester Hospital in Essex, Princess Kate stopped to take selfies with nurses, staff and well-wishers — a casual gesture that would have once been discouraged under the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.

It was also during this visit that Kate spoke candidly about the challenges of life after cancer treatment. In a heartfelt moment, she admitted that the post-treatment phase had been “really, really difficult,” even more so than the treatment itself.

“You put on a brave face during it, you stay stoic,” she said. “But once it’s over, people expect you to bounce back, and that’s not always possible. You’re not under the clinical team anymore, but you’re also not the person you used to be.”

She emphasized the importance of emotional support during this lesser-discussed phase of recovery. “Having someone to help you through it — to guide you — is so valuable,” she added.

The visit came just as the Sovereign Grant confirmed that the royal family carried out over 1,900 public engagements during the year, while maintaining public funding at £86.3 million for the fourth year in a row. The Royal Train is also set to be decommissioned by 2027.

But more than numbers, what stood out this year was how William and Kate continue to shape a modern monarchy: one that values warmth and connection — even if it chooses to keep a few more things behind closed doors.