Prince William Reportedly 'Preparing' Two Royals for Key Roles as Future King
As future King, William will need to place his trust in the most dependable figures of the Firm, and two familiar names seem to be his likely choice.
Much like his father, Prince William is expected to continue the royal family's move toward a slimmer monarchy with fewer working members. As the circle of senior royals narrows, the future King will likely need to place his trust in the most dependable figures of the Firm. On that note, body language expert Darren Stanton believes William may have already chosen his pick, preparing Prince Edward and Duchess Sophie for a more visible role, thanks to their growing confidence and ability to work in tandem.
As reported by Marie Claire, Stanton drew attention to Edward and Sophie's recent tour of Portugal to highlight their importance in the current monarchy. He noted that Sophie, in particular, appeared to have 'grown into the role' and is 'entirely at ease' with her duties. "She carries herself exceptionally well. Sophie and Edward seem to be growing steadily into a more prominent position within the royal family." He argued that although Edward was the more introverted one, together, they 'work as a team,' something that the Prince of Wales reportedly appreciates and could use for his future reign.
Against that context, when William takes the throne, he will have to rely on the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh to shoulder some responsibilities, as Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will all be in their 80s. Stanton stressed, "As William and Kate move closer to becoming King and Queen, Sophie and Edward will inevitably become more visible and more important within the monarchy. In many ways, they're already being prepared for that shift." Indeed, Sophie and Edward have already gained King Charles's trust and have a relatively good reputation. "People appear at ease around them [Edward and Sophie], which is often a good reflection of the energy being projected."
On that note, Stanton is not the only expert who vouches for Edward and Sophie's prominence in the monarchy. Royal author Robert Jobson also told the Daily Express that Edward would be William's strongest support when he ascends the throne. He asserted, "When William becomes King, Edward is likely to be a trusted confidant—someone he can bounce ideas off in private with a direct line to the wisdom and values of William's grandparents, the late Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip." While his early days in the royal family were unstable owing to multiple career changes, Edward and Sophie's future now seems bright and scandal-free, unlike some of their relatives.
