Recently, a day out for the Prince of Wales led to some startling scenes that are likely making the palace and the royal family cringe. Unfortunately for Kensington Palace, there were no crowds lining the streets during his visit to Aberdeen on Thursday, where he was there to thank the city’s homelessness organizations. Videos from the trip have surfaced, and they make for some rather uncomfortable viewing. In one clip, Prince William steps out of his Range Rover onto what seems to be a nearly empty street, with only the faint sounds of two people casually greeting him with, “Hello, Prince,” and “Hi, William.”
In another video, the 42-year-old Prince is seen briskly walking to another location, accompanied by only one sporting aide. Once again, aside from a couple of passersby, no crowd seems to have shown up to welcome him. These videos reveal a striking contrast: while Prince William may enjoy high approval ratings, he does not seem to evoke the same emotional response from the public as his wife, Catherine, or his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales.
If Catherine had joined William in Aberdeen this week, it's highly unlikely we’d be seeing these wide-open, empty streets devoid of cheering crowds. There would have been children with flowers, people holding up iPhones for selfies and videos, and posts being excitedly shared across local Facebook pages. The presence of the Princess always draws a crowd.
Royal watchers, however, are quick to point out that these videos may actually highlight William’s down-to-earth nature. They argue that he is unaffected by the titles and trappings of royalty, preferring a more grounded approach. For now, these moments are simply interesting to observe, but they could have broader implications when William eventually ascends to the throne.
Recent reports suggest that Prince William has successfully introduced initiatives to streamline the Royal Household. This includes making tough decisions, such as terminating the roles of some underperforming staff and reducing royal family expenses. Notably, this has impacted Queen Camilla’s sister and son, who were reportedly receiving financial aid from the royal treasury. The public has largely supported William’s actions, seeing them as part of a broader effort to decrease royal expenditures and focus on commitments that have a more meaningful impact on society.
In other royal news, the Princess of Wales surprised royal fans by attending a service at Braemar’s Crathie Kirk Church on Sunday, alongside Prince William, King Charles, and Queen Camilla. This was her first public appearance since her emotional update regarding her battle with cancer earlier this month.
A source close to the Wales family shared that while the Duke of Cambridge appeared outwardly composed, those close to him knew of his deep concern for Catherine’s health. There was always a fear that he might lose her, and it took a significant emotional toll on him privately. The source also revealed that, now that Catherine’s preventative chemotherapy has ended, the couple is counting their blessings and hoping for continued positive news regarding her health.
Privately, there were moments when William was close to tears, the insider shared, emphasizing the emotional strain the situation has placed on the future king. Despite this, the couple remains hopeful, clinging to the possibility of a full recovery for Catherine.
During her recent appearance, Catherine was seen in a car driven by William, wearing a khaki hat with a plume, looking calm and composed. Though she wasn’t smiling and waving formally, there was a subtle, authentic smile that radiated happiness and determination—a reassuring sight for royal watchers regarding her recovery.
Meanwhile, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis stayed behind in Windsor. The young royals have just returned to their classrooms at Lambrook School in Berkshire, making a trip to Scotland during term time unlikely.
This glimpse into the royal family shows both the public and private challenges they face, but also their resilience and strength as they navigate through these times.
