Prince William and Kate Middleton are “in the happiest period of their lives” despite an impending upheaval which will see the prince take on a range of new responsibilities, according to a source.
He is due to turn 40 on Tuesday and is faced with the prospect that he will become the Prince of Wales when his father takes to the throne.
One source close to the Duke of Cambridge told The Telegraph his life is about to “change hugely”, adding: “He will be in charge of the Duchy of Cornwall, a billion-pound business empire, and will be expected to carry out far more royal engagements, especially abroad.”
But William and Kate’s friends say the couple are trying not to stress about the future and remain focused on caring for their children.
One said: “He and Kate are in the happiest period of their lives now, before the weight of the world lands on their shoulders. They try to not think about what’s ahead.”
The couple have reportedly agreed to move from Kensington Palace to Windsor this summer, so all three of their children can attend the same co-educational school when four-year-old Prince Louis begins his education.
They are said to be moving to the four-bedroomed Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate and have long-term aspirations of settling down at Windsor Castle.
William was a part-time working Royal until he turned 35 in 2017, as he also worked as an RAF Rescue pilot and flew air ambulances in East Anglia.
Sources say that when his father becomes King and he takes on the Prince of Wales title, he will focus on three ‘big bets’ – homelessness, mental health and the environment – instead of becoming actively involved in a vast range of good causes.
It comes after he launched The Earthshot Prize with David Attenborough in 2020, which offers five £1 million grants to individuals or organisations which are working on solutions to some of the world’s greatest environmental problems.
William is believed to have become much closer with his father, since his brother Harry and sister-in Law Meghan left the Royal Family and publicly criticised them.
William and Charles have also reportedly worked together to ensure the disgraced Prince Andrew does not return to the public eye.
The royals took a “family decision” to limit disgraced Andrew's appearance on Garter Day to a behind-the-scenes lunch and investiture ceremony.
Andrew was not seen in public during the event, one of the most colourful in the royal calendar, after Prince Charles and William reportedly lobbied the Queen about his participation.
“In the aftermath of Megxit, William has started to appreciate his father more and Charles trusts his son’s judgement more than ever,” said one insider.
