In a heartfelt warning to his son, King Charles advised Prince William not to let duty ruin his marriage as it did his own. The king’s candid advice was revealed by Ingrid Seward, a royal expert and the editor-in-chief of Majesty magazine. She shared that Charles urged William to prioritize his family, drawing from the painful lessons of his past.
Charles’ marriage history has indeed been fraught. He first met Camilla Parker Bowles in 1970 and they quickly became close. However, their romance was interrupted by Charles’ naval duty, during which Camilla married her long-time boyfriend, Andrew Parker Bowles.
In 1981, Charles married Lady Diana Spencer, a union that was closely scrutinized by the tabloids and riddled with issues. Charles and Camilla both divorced their respective spouses in the mid-90s, and Charles admitted to having an affair with Camilla. The tragic death of Princess Diana in a car crash in 1997 further complicated matters.
Charles and Camilla finally married in 2005, and were crowned king and queen in 2023 upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II. According to Seward, Charles’ experiences have shaped his perspective on the importance of family over duty.
Prince William’s own love story is quite different from his father’s. He met Kate Middleton while studying at St. Andrews University in 2001. The couple moved in together in 2002, made their relationship public in 2004, briefly split in 2007, and then got engaged in 2010. They wed in a lavish ceremony in 2011 and share three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
Earlier this year, Kate underwent planned abdominal surgery during which cancer was found. William postponed official duties to support her through her treatment and recovery. In September, Kate announced that she was cancer-free.
Seward shared that Charles has been a significant supporter of William during this difficult time. She praised William’s handling of the challenging situation and his commitment to his wife and children, suggesting that he has indeed taken to heart his father’s advice about prioritizing family over duty.
This candid advice from King Charles to Prince William provides a poignant insight into the personal struggles and lessons learned by the British royal family. It underscores the unique pressures faced by those in line for the throne, where the constant demands of duty can often overshadow and strain personal relationships.
Charles’ own turbulent marital history, marked by a love triangle with Camilla Parker Bowles and Princess Diana, made headlines and caused a significant public scandal. The fallout from this personal drama has likely informed his sage advice to his son, highlighting family as the cornerstone of life, even in the face of royal obligations.
For William, this counsel seems to have resonated deeply. His relationship with Kate Middleton has largely been characterized by stability and mutual support. Even during health scares, such as Kate’s recent battle with cancer, William prioritized his family’s well-being over his royal duties.
This evolution in royal attitudes towards marriage and duty reveals a more modern approach to balancing public service with personal life. It suggests an increasing awareness within the royal family about the importance of mental health and familial support, which is in line with Prince William and Kate’s own advocacy work in these areas.
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