Prince William views his "paramount duty" as training Prince George to be king in what a bombshell new book describes as a job "his predecessors virtually ignored."
The Prince of Wales, according to Robert Hardman's new biography The Making of a King: King Charles III and the Modern Monarchy, suggests Prince George will not have to do royal duties until "well into his 20s."
And William, according to a family friend, views preparing George for the throne as "not far off the most important job he has," while the book suggests past royal parents may not have taken the role quite so seriously.
The book does not state whether William considers Charles among those who have "virtually ignored" the responsibility.
Separately, the king worked with an authorized biographer for a 1994 book, The Prince of Wales: A Biography, which suggested Prince Philip reduced him to tears with "banter" and the only place he was guaranteed a hug was the nursery with his nanny.
The account also comes after royal parenting has been in the spotlight over Prince Harry's broadside against Charles to Oprah Winfrey, in Spare and on Netflix.
"Quite apart from all his duties as Prince of Wales," Hardman wrote. "Prince William has what he regards as one paramount duty. It is one which some of his predecessors virtually ignored: training the heir.
"'In his view, it's not far off the most important job he has—raising the next King but one,' says a family friend.
"Equally, Prince George will not be expected to undertake any royal duties until he is well into his 20s."
Hardman suggests William and Charles have seen their relationship strengthen since Harry and Meghan Markle's criticisms, while Charles finds it easier to discuss running the countryside estate the Duchy of Cornwall with his son than he did with Philip.
"How well do the King and his son get on?" The Making of a King reads. "Certainly their relationship has been strengthened by the twin burdens of their new roles and periodic broadsides from California."
And a royal source was quoted saying: "Prince Charles and Prince Philip were always quarrelling about the best way forward.
"Prince Philip did have a tendency to treat his sons as if they were in short trousers."
Royal Parenting as Described in King Charles' Authorized Biography
Jonathan Dimbleby conducted extensive interviews with Charles as well as his staff and friends and was given access to private correspondence for his 1994 book The Prince of Wales: A Biography.
In it, he wrote: "Indeed, he [Philip] often seemed intent not merely on correcting the prince but even mocking him as well, so that he seemed to be foolish and tongue-tied in front of friends as well as family.
"To their distress and embarrassment, the small boy was frequently brought to tears by the banter to which he was subjected and to which he could find no retort.
"On occasion, even his closest friends found the Duke's behavior inexplicably harsh.
"One remembers that after a paternal reprimand at lunch, 'the tears welled into his eyes with a whole table full of people staying there.... And I thought how could you do that?'"
Jack Royston is Newsweek's chief royal correspondent based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.
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About the writer
Jack Royston is Newsweek's Chief Royal Correspondent based in London, U.K. He reports on the British royal family—including King Charles ... Read more
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