Prince William hasn’t technically succeeded the throne yet, but it appears the royal has already taken the reigns when it comes to ruling the Royal House of Windsor.
Following the death of Prince Philip, William has replaced his grandfather’s role as the family’s primary disciplinarian.
“Philip ruled the family with a rod of iron, and you saw when he died, that discipline collapsed,” an insider told The Daily Beast. “Now, William is calling the shots when it comes to family discipline.”
When it comes to major decisions—like Kate Middleton’s attendance at Trooping the Colour or King Charles’s potential California visit—William has taken it upon himself to give the final say.
The Prince of Wales may now take the lead on big decisions but, William’s authority doesn’t negate his father’s power as the head of the monarchy.
“William’s rise does not mean the king is a lame duck,” the outlet writes. “He is still an immensely powerful figure whose word is (sometimes literally) law, who can get anyone in the world on the phone with a click of his fingers.”
“His recent return to public work has been nothing short of miraculous, given that he is suffering from cancer and undergoing treatment for the disease, and his surging popularity figures tell their own story,” The Daily Beast added.
When Prince Philip served as head of the household, insiders said that the royal was quite strict.
It was said he didn’t have a soft side—at least not seen in public,” The Daily Express added. Even Queen Elizabeth relied on her husband’s ability to lay down the law at home, with the outlet describing their relationship as: “Prince Philip ran the royal household while Queen Elizabeth ran the nation.”
Royal biographer Sally Bedell Smith added that Elizabeth “relied increasingly on her husband to make the major family decisions, and she depended on the nannies to supervise daily lives.”
The perfect example of William’s influence over the family’s decisions? His plan to move his uncle Prince Andrew out of the Royal Lodge and into Frogmore Cottage.
It is believed that William has long held a grudge against Andrew for being unwelcoming when he first introduced Kate Middleton to the royal family and feels that his father has been too soft on him.
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