Prince William Needs to Shed 'Work-shy' Reputation, Says Expert; 'The Crown Comes First'

Prince William may be next in line to the throne, but according to royal insiders, he still has work to do to shake off the enduring label of being 'work-shy'–a tag that continues to dog the Prince of Wales despite his growing profile on the world stage.

Speaking to Fox News Digital, royal expert Ian Pelham Turner noted that Princess Anne, famously regarded as the hardest-working royal, has been quietly pushing her nephew to embrace a more visible public role. 'Prince William, in the past, had allegations that he was work-shy... the "perfect prince" image may be slightly tarnished, and Princess Anne takes no prisoners,' said Turner. 'My natural reaction is that Princess Anne will win this battle.'

Anne's Silent Grit vs William's Selective Engagement

A recent Sunday Times profile of Princess Anne ahead of her 75th birthday revealed that she is still conducting most of the investitures at Windsor Castle, despite William living nearby at Adelaide Cottage. 'She's still doing most of the investitures [at Windsor] even though William lives there,' one source close to the Princess Royal claimed. 'It annoys her.'

Investitures are key ceremonial duties that celebrate individuals for their public service or bravery – and they are increasingly rare within a shrinking royal family. Experts say Princess Anne's preference for substance over spectacle is in direct contrast with William's more curated public engagements.

'Princess Anne's well-deserved reputation stems from her ability to carry out everyday royal engagements without fanfare or praise,' said royal commentator Amanda Matta. 'So seeing William skip out on investitures she's still doing herself in her mid-70s? I imagine that would absolutely get under her skin.'

Duty vs Domesticity

While Anne's motto remains to 'just get on with it,' William appears more strategic about his public presence, favouring high-profile international visits and cause-led initiatives.

'There is a balance to bear in mind between Prince William's current greater focus on his family versus the more traditional ceremonial approach Princess Anne has upheld,' said British royal expert Hilary Fordwich. 'He is well aware of this.'

William has previously been accused of avoiding routine engagements, with his critics dubbing him 'Work-shy Wills' – a label even addressed in Prince Harry's memoir Spare. Harry insisted the criticisms were unfair, writing that William was simply raising a young family and acting under the direction of their father, then-Prince Charles. 'The papers were awash with stories about Willy being lazy... it was obscene,' wrote Harry.

Still, with King Charles scaling back the monarchy, William now faces growing expectations. 'They are very duty-driven,' said public affairs expert Shannon Felton Spence, 'but sometimes the country expects to see them at a time when it may be inconvenient for them. That's always been the essential conflict of the job – the crown comes first.'

Mutual Respect Amid Generational Divide

Despite any friction, the relationship between Anne and William appears rooted in mutual admiration. Following Anne's quick return to work after a horse-related injury, William and Catherine posted warmly on social media: 'Super trooper! So great to see you back so soon. W&C x.'

Anne, for her part, is said to be 'fond' of William and supportive of his future reign. 'Even if there is any annoyance, there's mutual respect as well as affection,' Fordwich noted. 'She admires his sense of duty and commitment to the crown.'

Princess Anne is not slowing down either. According to reports, she completed 457 engagements in 2023 and plans to continue working until at least 80. With Anne holding the lion's share of investitures in 2025, and the monarchy in transition, all eyes are now on William to step up and fully claim the public role his future demands.