As Queen Elizabeth continues to take measures to protect her health, she has reduced her public appearances in recent years.
This change means that other figures like Prince Charles and Prince William have taken bigger roles in the British monarchy.
William and his wife, Kate Middleton, have gained prominence. This week, the pair visited Clitheroe Community Hospital in Lancashire, England and their chemistry was on full display.
The future king teased his spouse about wanting more children as she cradled a baby. The 39-year-old royal told staffers: “Don’t give my wife any more ideas!” As Kate returned the child, William added: “Don’t take her with you.”
„Don’t give my wife any more ideas!“
„Don’t take her with you.“?
? @john_deehan #DukeandDuchessofCambridge #DuchessofCambridge pic.twitter.com/2rbMebpMQO
— ChristinZ (@ChristinsQueens) January 20, 2022
In a 2015 documentary, William explained his vision as a father: “I never used to get too wound up or worried about things. But now the smallest little things, you well up a little more, you get affected by the sort of things that happen around the world or whatever a lot more, I think, as a father.”
He continued: “Just because you realize how precious life is, and it puts it all in perspective. The idea of not being around to see your children grow up [is horrible].”
As for Kate, in 2017, she revealed: “Personally, becoming a mother has been such a rewarding and wonderful experience. However, at times it has also been a huge challenge, even for me, who has support at home that most mothers do not. Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer overwhelming experience of what it means to become a mother.”
The 40-year-old mother of three also added: “It is full of complex emotions of joy, exhaustion, love, and worry all mixed together. Your fundamental identity changes overnight. You go from thinking of yourself as primarily an individual to suddenly being a mother, first and foremost. And yet, there is no rule book, no right or wrong — you just have to make it up and do the very best you can to care for your family.”
The moment between William and Kate this week got a lot of attention in the media. While it was a joke, it seems that William is more focused on his future role in the monarchy than adding to his family with Kate.
Being a part of the British Royal Family comes with many perks as well as many challenges unique to the Buckingham Palace ecosystem.
One of the advantages that is afforded only to the monarch is the freedom to travel internationally without a passport.
The Queen does not need a passport to travel to other countries and has spent her almost 70-year reign visiting many states around the world.
The monarch must still undergo some security checks at the airport, mainly to confirm her identity.
Queen Elizabeth II is also exempt from needing a driver’s license, allowing her to drive a car without having to formally pass a driving test.
She has often been spotted driving around the royal Balmoral estate in Scotland and first got behind the wheel in the 1940s during the Second World War.
Other members of the Royal Family, including spouses of the monarch, must still have a passport to travel and are also required to pass a driving test if they want to drive.
Prince Charles is first in line to the throne and will enjoy these privileges when he becomes monarch.
His son, Prince William, will also be covered by these perks when he ascends to the throne in the future.
However, their spouses — Camilla Parker-Bowles and Kate Middleton — will not be able to take advantage of these royal perks, as they are reserved only for the monarch.
The Duchess of Cornwall and the Duchess of Cambridge must still carry their passports and cannot drive without a driver’s license.
Aside from traveling, there are other perks that come with being the monarch. No civil or criminal proceedings can be taken against the Queen, who must be careful to ensure that everything she does in her personal capacity abides by the letter of the law.
