Could Prince William be the British royal family’s first “part-time king?” A source told Radar Online in a report published on October 9, 2025, that William’s wife Kate Middleton’s dream to live “off-grid” in the English countryside has left Buckingham Palace concerned that the Prince of Wales could be the first “part-time king.”

The report comes after William and Kate—as well as their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis—prepare to move to Forest Lodge, a secluded eight-bedroom home in Windsor Great Park, later this year. The move has been reported to be a part of William and Kate’s long-term plan to raise George, Charlotte and Louis away from the pressures of the palace. However, sources told Radar Online that they could also reflect William and Kate’s desire for more privacy in their later years, especially after Kate’s cancer battle in 2024 and early 2025.

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“Kate has completely re-evaluated her life since her illness. She wants to live more simply, surrounded by nature, and focus on her family and her health. She believes fresh air, peace, and time outdoors are key to staying strong. Forest Lodge gives her that space – but it also means William will have to make choices about how much time he spends in London versus Windsor,” the insider said.

While a move away from Buckingham Palace would do well for the couple’s mental health, aides also claimed to Radar Online that The Firm is concerned it could lead to a “part-time monarchy” on William’s part once he takes the throne from his father, King Charles. “People are worried that by putting family life and privacy first, William could start to lose touch with the public. The late Queen always believed visibility was essential – and some think he’s pulling back more than he should,” the insider said.

William’s aunt, Princess Anne, is also unsupportive of him and Kate going off the grid, as she believes royal engagements are the “bread and butter” of the family’s duties. “Anne thinks being seen is crucial,” the insider said. “She’s never really understood William’s wish to scale back his engagements. In her view, the role is the role – you turn up and do it, whatever it takes.”

Another source, however, argued that “William wants to modernize the monarchy.” The insider continued, “[He wants to] make it more focused and less about ceremony. But there’s a delicate balance between being strategic and being invisible. If he isn’t seen enough, the royal family could lose its connection with the public.”

The insider continued, “Kate wants a peaceful, healthy life, and William is determined to make that happen,” one close confidante said. “But to do that, he’ll have to find a balance between being the private husband he wants to be and the public king he’s expected to become.”

Another source told Radar Online in a report published on October 9, 2025, that William’s “revolutionary” plans to change the crown have also been met with criticism by Buckingham Palace. “The monarch’s role demands that duty always comes first,” an insider said, adding that William “needs to be careful” not to weaken the crown by changing too much. “It isn’t about personal preference – it’s about responsibility, branding and presentation. Being monarch is a lifelong commitment, and it’s an exhausting one.”

Another source added, “There’s real unease among the old guard. The Men in Grey Suits – the advisers who’ve served multiple reigns – think William is moving too fast, too freely. They understand his wish to be a hands-on father, but they fear he could forget that the monarchy’s strength lies in its visibility and ritual.”

However, William isn’t alone in facing tension with The Firm. His mother, Princess Diana, also struggled with the executive side of the palace. “Princess Diana used to speak about her fear of these same courtiers – she called them the Men in Grey Suits – and now they’re the ones quietly reminding her son that modernizing the monarchy has limits,” the insider said.

As for what changes William plans to make, the source noted that the prince wants to “slim down” the working side of the royal family. “William is reshaping things on his own terms,” an insider said. “He’s convinced that a leaner monarchy is the way forward. But if he pulls back too much, and if the public stops seeing royals out meeting people and doing engagements, that bond begins to weaken. He really needs to tread carefully.”

The insider also noted William’s prioritization of his family over the throne. “He’s deeply focused on his family,” a source said. “Unlike Charles, who doesn’t have young children at home, William enjoys doing the school run and spending time in the countryside – his lifestyle is completely different.”

The source continued, “William’s vision is rooted in normality – he wants his kids George, Charlotte and Louis to grow up grounded. But some of the senior staff see that as a risk. They remember Diana’s battles with the Men in Grey Suits, and they see history repeating itself in a new form.”

The insider also pointed out William’s steadfastness as a royal. “But William is pig-headed. He’s determined to do things his own way. The establishment – those Men in Grey Suits so feared and hated by Diana – are watching closely.,” the source said. “They respect his instincts, but they’ll never let him forget that the monarchy survives not through change alone, but through community and presenting itself as all-powerful.”

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