Prince William trying to shed his 'work shy' image as he prepares for 'job he doesn't want'

Prince William is often hailed as one of the most popular members of the , having cultivated an image of a modern man who balances his roles as a father and husband with his public duties.

and are now considered the most influential royal couple, earning widespread praise for their parenting of , 11, , 10, and , 7, away from the public eye.

However, behind closed doors, William has faced criticism for claims of not being as dedicated to his royal duties as he could be.

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Even before Kate's cancer diagnosis, the royal league tables of engagements raised questions, with both William and Kate frequently trailing behind older members of The Firm.

While royals like Princess Anne and the King rarely take a day off, William has reportedly frustrated Palace staff with his reluctance towards official engagements, particularly those outside the UK.

Despite 2024 being a challenging year for the Prince, courtiers noted that he still managed to enjoy trips to Germany for the European Championships, and South Africa for his Earthshot prize, despite declining Royal visits.

It was reported that had to assert his authority last month and compel a reluctant William to attend Pope Francis' funeral in Rome.

William's perceived lack of commitment to work was highlighted in a recent New York Times article on the family's rift with . Experts believe he is attempting to shed this image by creating a new one, reports .

Historian Ed Owens shared with the publication that William is "burnishing his reputation as a statesman". He explained: "William has sometimes been seen as work-shy, but we see him gravitating toward bigger, more media-friendly events."

Although William's public appearances are less frequent than his father's, they have been of significant importance in recent months.

Last December, he was present at the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, an occasion which provided him with the opportunity to spend time with US President .

Despite sources suggesting his visit to the Vatican was under duress, it marked another major global event where William was visibly present. The diagnosis of King Charles's cancer has shifted focus towards the future of the monarchy.

Mark Landler, the London bureau chief for the NYT, observes that the "job that William does not want, at least for now, is his father's" but "fears over the king's health have made talk of succession inescapable".