Some royal engagements abroad, such as the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris last year, were represented by not King Charles, but his son, Prince William. The heir to the throne has been taking on more responsibilities in recent years due to his father’s health status.

Although King Charles is devoting all his energy to representing the Crown and performing his duties as king, nothing is more important than prioritizing his health.

Prince William ‘prepares’ to take over after King Charles

Still, at the time of Notre Dame’s reopening in December 2024, royal expert and historian Tessa Dunlop stated that the fact that William was there and not Charles was a “painful” reminder for the monarch.

“It must be tough for Charles, a man who waited over seventy years for the big gig, to play second fiddle to his son. Time and again recently, William has grabbed the headlines: in Commando uniform firing a gun, wearing pinnyserving Christmas fare to the homeless, and accompanying his wife Catherine, during the Emir of Qatar’s state visit. All eyes are always on William and the Waleses,” she said.