Prince William in 'constant stress' over taking throne from King Charles: 'The job no one really wants'
LONDON, ENGLAND: Prince William is reportedly feeling overwhelmed by the idea of becoming king as he prepares to one day succeed his father, King Charles.
Sources close to the heir revealed that the responsibility has left him struggling, even triggering panic attacks over the pressure to lead.
Prince William struggles with ‘constant stress’ and pressure of future role, says source
The prospect of taking on the role is causing Prince William panic attacks, as he feels it entails constant work and is a position no one truly desires.
"It's constant work, stress and the job no one really wants," a close source told RadarOnline.
"He respects his father and understands the duty — but the truth is, he dreads the weight of the crown, as the old saying goes," the source added.
While William has long been groomed for kingship, insiders claim he feels daunted by the royal obligations ahead.
Married to Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, 43, and father to three young children — Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — William is often praised for his modern image and commitment to family.
Prince William ‘picks and chooses’ when to fulfill royal duties
Despite his public popularity, he’s been criticized for avoiding traditional duties, such as frequent overseas visits and routine day-to-day engagements.
"William's been trying to redefine what public service looks like," one royal aide said.
"But the more old-school Palace staff feel he sometimes picks and chooses when to show up — and that causes friction," the source added.
Even before Middleton's recent cancer diagnosis, William's royal calendar was reportedly lighter than expected.
Observers have pointed out that senior royals like Princess Anne and King Charles, who continues to work at 76 despite his own battle with cancer, often have fuller schedules.
In May, reports claimed that William was reluctant to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome until King Charles stepped in.
"Charles was clear," a Palace source said. "This wasn't optional. William had to represent the Crown, even if he didn't feel up to it."
Prince William leans toward ‘bigger, more media-friendly events’
Royal historian Ed Owens noted, "William has sometimes been seen as work-shy, but we see him gravitating toward bigger, more media-friendly events. He's burnishing his reputation as a statesman."
William has made high-profile appearances, such as at the Earthshot Prize in South Africa and the UEFA European Championship in Germany.
However, insiders revealed that he has declined several other official engagements, raising further questions about his commitment to the traditional royal role.
