Be more like Granddad! Queen tells Princes William and Harry to stop ‘soul-baring’
The Queen has reportedly told Princes William and Harry it is time for them to stop “soul-baring” and be more like their grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Sources suggest she instructed the younger royals to place more emphasis on their state duties, just days after Prince Philip announced he will be stepping down from the public eye in the autumn.
The news comes just weeks after both princes spoke out about the struggle of coming to terms with the death of their mother, Princess Diana, as part of the Heads Together mental health campaign.
Speaking to the Sunday Times, a royal insider said: “As successful as that campaign was, it might be that soul-baring isn’t what Buckingham Palace is looking for.
“The direct impact [of Prince Philip’s retirement] will be that the Cambridges will be expected to step up and undertake more state business and do less of their campaign work.”
On Thursday, the palace confirmed the Duke of Edinburgh will no longer attend public engagements.
The Duke, who turns 96 next month, has been in the public eye for 70 years.
The announcement was made shortly after the Queen called an unexpected meeting with all senior staff and aides, prompting worldwide speculation about the Duke’s health.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh has decided that he will no longer carry out public engagements from the autumn of this year. In taking this decision, The Duke has the full support of The Queen.
“Prince Philip will attend previously scheduled engagements between now and August, both individually and accompanying The Queen.
“Thereafter, The Duke will not be accepting new invitations for visits and engagements, although he may still choose to attend certain public events from time to time.
“The Duke of Edinburgh is Patron, President or a member of over 780 organisations, with which he will continue to be associated, although he will no longer play an active role by attending engagements.
“Her Majesty will continue to carry out a full programme of official engagements with the support of members of the Royal Family.”
Following news of the Duke’s retirement from public life, royal insiders claimed the Duchess of Cambridge was looking to step into his shoes, in an effort to emulate his royal role as consort.
Reports suggest the Duchess is a great admirer of Prince Philip, suggesting she intendeds to mirror the way he has supported the Queen, as she prepares herself to become Prince William’s consort.
Sources speaking to The Sunday Express have also suggested that the couple are unlikely to have more children now that they are poised to increase their official workload.
The Cambridges are due to relocate to London from Anmer Hall – their Norfolk home – in the summer, before Prince George starts school in September.
Princess Charlotte is expected to be enrolled at the kindergarten on the same site at Thomas’s Battersea.
Prince Harry is also set take on a more prominent role following his laudable contribution to last month’s hugely successful Heads Together campaign.
The increased workload also comes after the Prince worked to raise global awareness on hard-hitting issues like AIDS and the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers.
Source: EXPRESS CO UK
Tags: Prince Philip, Prince William, Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth, Queen, Elizabeth
