Prince admits family pressures, not palace work, leave him feeling overwhelmed
Prince William’s attempt to scale down his royal commitments has reportedly been turned down by King Charles. According to royal biographer Robert Jobson, the Prince of Wales asked to limit his public appearances to around ten engagements for the rest of 2024. But the King, dealing with his own health issues while supporting Catherine through her cancer treatment, urged his son to reconsider.
Sources told GB News that Charles felt it was crucial to keep a sense of stability and reassurance for the public during a turbulent year for the monarchy. The King is said to believe that consistent visibility from senior royals remains vital amid ongoing personal and public challenges.
William’s request came during an emotional and demanding time as both his wife and father were undergoing treatment. The Prince has spoken candidly about the strain this period has placed on him, admitting that it’s not royal work but family concerns that often feel hardest to manage.
In a recent episode of The Reluctant Traveler on Apple TV, William told host Eugene Levy that royal responsibilities no longer intimidate him, but family worries can sometimes feel “overwhelming.”
“You know, worry or stress around the family side of things—that does overwhelm me quite a bit,” he said. “But in terms of doing the job and things like that, I don’t feel too overwhelmed by that.”
He added that with age and experience, he’s learned to approach his duties with calm and perspective. Still, when it comes to his loved ones, even the future king admits he struggles like anyone else. “When it’s to do with family, that’s where I start getting a bit overwhelmed,” he said. “It’s more personal, more about feeling… about upsetting the rhythm, if you like.”
