Sources Have Weighed In on the ‘Personal and Competitive Tensions’ Between Prince William and King Charles

King Charles and Prince William attend the official handover of the Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps in 2024
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The royal family is undoubtedly the most talked-about in the world, with King Charles, and heir to the throne, Prince William, dominating the recent headlines.

The father and son are rumoured to have experienced a discord this year, with reports that the pair was barely speaking after a "tense and fraught" summer.

The royal family attends Trooping the Colour in 2025

(Image credit: Getty Images)

This, sources reported at the time, was down to a disagreement over the future of the monarchy, with alleged tensions mounting between them.

"Charles believes in tradition and continuity above all," a royal insider reported to The Daily Beast earlier this year. "[While] William thinks many aspects of his father’s approach are outdated, preferring a more modern interpretation of monarchy."

The source added: "To William, continuing to run the monarchy as though it were still an Edwardian institution feels absurd. To Charles, his son’s more casual approach can feel like a lack of respect for duty and tradition."

Prince William and King Charles during the Coronation of King Charles III

(Image credit: Getty Images)

However, multiple sources weighed in on the situation this week, and according to them, there is no such rift.

"It's evident there's an attempt to manufacture division between them, when in reality, no such rift exists," a source recently explained to the Daily Mail. "In truth, their relationship is as strong as ever, they are aligned in their work, with many areas of shared interest, and united in their vision for the role of the Royal Family."

"Like many father-son relationships, there are occasional personal and competitive tensions," a separate source added. "Both are very driven individuals and have very similar interests such as the environment, conservation, the military and helping deprived communities.

"Does [their support for individual causes] sometimes bring them into competition with one another? Yes, to be fair, it does. But ultimately they have the same goal: to make life better for the people of this country."

We will continue to update this story.

Jenny Proudfoot
Contributing Features Editor

Jenny Proudfoot is an award-winning journalist, specialising in lifestyle, culture, entertainment, international development and politics. After working at Marie Claire UK for seven years - rising from intern to Features Editor - she is now a freelance contributor to the News and Features section.

In 2021, Jenny was named as a winner on the PPA's '30 under 30' list, and was also listed as a rising star in journalism.