Prince William’s relationship has greatly changed in recent years in light of their shared struggles, from the death of the Queen, to Charles and Kate’s cancer diagnosis and the issue of Prince Harry.
They were not always close, however. As Charles and Diana’s eldest son, William was witness to the destructive breakdown of their marriage – and it altered his perception of the both. As royal commentator previously Camilla Tominey noted: “When the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, came round in 2017, aides begged William to acknowledge his father’s role in their upbringing when he addressed journalists before the screening of an ITV documentary but he flatly refused.”
She continued: “Charles’ only mention came in another documentary for the BBC that year, when it was left to Harry to pay tribute.” Indeed, during ‘Diana, 7 Days’, Harry praised his father for his emotional support during the turbulent period following Diana’s death, saying: “One of the hardest things for a parent to have to do is to tell your children that your other parent has died. “He was there for us; he was the one out of two left and he tried to do his best and to make sure we were protected and looked after.”
There is no doubt now, however, that William and Charles now share a close bond. During their public outings together, their affection is clear – and one standout moment came at the King’s coronation when William gave an oath of allegiance to his father, and kissed him on the cheek. Commentators and fans were quick to note how emotional the moment was, and how tenderly the father and son connected with each other.
Writing about the monarch’s relationship with his eldest son in his latest book, Charles III: New King, New Court, Robert Hardman noted: “The Prince of Wales’s relationship with the King has been strengthened by the twin burdens of their new roles and periodic broadsides from California. Also, the more that the heir to the throne becomes involved in the running of the Duchy of Cornwall and the royal estates, the more he has come to appreciate his father’s dedication and his achievements over the years.”
Similarly, the Prince’s relationship with his stepmother Queen Camilla has greatly improved over time. William and Harry’s deep loyalty to their mother led to a longstanding distrust and resentment towards Camilla. But following Harry ‘s decision to quit royal duties in 2020, William has made significant progress in fostering a friendly bond with his stepmother – especially since both King Charles and Princess Kate are undergoing cancer treatment. A source told the Mirror : “It brought them closer,” as William and Kate aimed to steer clear of any further “drama”.
