William: popular prince becomes heir to the throne

PBC News: Heir to the throne now that his father has become king, Prince William has stepped up to royal duties after the exit of his brother, Harry, and uncle, Andrew.

William has grown up with a strong sense of his future responsibilities, with Charles’s reign inevitably set to be shorter than that of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.

And as the new king ages William will have a much more visible public profile, preparing for his later role as king, said Robert Hazell, professor of government and the constitution at University College London, AFP reports.

“William will have to undertake more of the load, so I have no doubt that there will be an increasing share of royal duty that William will assume,” he told AFP.

William, 40, has so far managed to carve a life largely out of the spotlight, taking on military and civilian jobs and as a hands-on father of three with his wife, Catherine, proving popular with the public.

They are known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and now after the queen’s death, also as the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.

The couple have become prominent campaigners for mental health.

They have also advocated for protecting the environment and conservation, showing a more modern face to the ancient institution.

“I think that most people think that William and Kate will make a great team and be a great king and queen,” said Phil Dampier, a royal author.