Another quipped, “He would’ve been back at work in December, but the children have their Christmas break, so Wills will be back in January 2026.” Someone else observed dryly: “Unless it’s church walks, tennis, or football. We won’t see him!”

Avoiding Harry—or Competing?

For many royal watchers, the real story was the timing. Harry’s visit had been on the calendar for months, and William’s sudden flurry of appearances, followed by a suspicious lull, fueled speculation that he was either determined to avoid his brother or trying to overshadow him.

The optics are troubling, especially with King Charles stepping back due to health issues. Expectations were high that William would take on more responsibility, but instead, his empty schedule has made the contrast sharper.

Palace Frustration Over Workload

Royal journalist Camilla Tominey has previously reported that Palace aides were frustrated with William and Kate Middleton’s “cautious” approach to public duties.

Even before Kate’s cancer diagnosis, insiders had referred to her as a “part-time royal,” while William was known to prioritize personal passions like the Earthshot Prize or football tournaments abroad over routine domestic engagements. “Courtiers are fuming,” Tominey noted at the time, describing the couple’s reluctance to expand their workload.

Princess Anne’s Relentless Commitment

In stark contrast, Princess Anne continues to serve as the backbone of the monarchy. She completed 474 engagements last year—more than any other royal. Reports even suggest she has stepped in to conduct investiture ceremonies at Windsor Castle, despite William living just a short drive away at Adelaide Cottage. As one Palace insider put it: “Anne’s commitment is beyond doubt. But she is human. The sense she’s covering for William’s reluctance is very real.”