Traveling abroad for royal tours is not something that Prince William and Kate Middleton particularly enjoy. In fact, according to some sources, the couple dreads these overseas visits, preferring to stay close to home with their family. This is reflected in the fact that the Royal Family hasn't embarked on a major overseas tour in years.
However, in a sudden twist, Prince William is set to make a last-minute trip to France tomorrow at the request of the UK government. The Prince of Wales will be attending the grand reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris, five years after the devastating fire that nearly destroyed the historic building. The event, which is also expected to be attended by US President-elect Donald Trump, will be a major diplomatic occasion. French President Emmanuel Macron invited dozens of world leaders, including heads of state and government, to join the ceremony.
The Notre-Dame Cathedral has been undergoing restoration since the fire broke out in the attic in April 2019, damaging the oak roof beams and supporting structure. This will mark the first time that Prince William meets the newly elected US president, Donald Trump, since their last meeting in 2019, when Trump visited the UK on a state visit and was hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
While the announcement of the trip is sudden, the underlying reason for William and Kate's general reluctance toward overseas tours is more personal. Author Tina Brown explains that the couple does not enjoy the travel itself or the demanding schedules, but rather the fact that it takes Kate away from their children and disrupts what William refers to as his "me time." The Wales family resides at Adelaide Cottage in Windsor, where they live a quieter life with their three children. Their last major royal tour abroad occurred in the spring of 2022, and since then, their trips overseas have been shorter, such as their visit to Boston, Massachusetts in late 2022 and Jordan in June 2023.
The last time Prince William and Kate went on an extended overseas tour was in March 2022. They spent eight days touring Jamaica, Belize, and the Bahamas in honor of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee. However, the tour did not go as planned. It was meant to be a celebratory visit to mark the Queen's milestone, but it was overshadowed by growing republican sentiment in those countries, leading to the couple's return to the UK. The tour was later described as a public relations disaster, despite the numerous photos and videos of the royals smiling and engaging with locals.
This shift in the Royal Family's approach to travel and engagements is also reflected in a broader change in priorities. The royals are moving away from traditional ribbon-cutting ceremonies and focusing more on social causes. Prince William, King Charles, Princess Kate, and Queen Camilla have each championed causes that resonate with them personally. For instance, William is particularly dedicated to homelessness and mental health, while Kate continues to focus on early childhood development. Queen Camilla is passionate about domestic violence, and King Charles recently spent his birthday advocating for food waste and food poverty.
Royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills noted that this shift represents a significant change in the royal family's focus, making them more socially engaged than ever. She observed that Prince William, in particular, made it clear during a recent visit to South Africa that he wants to focus on royal duties that will have a tangible impact, rather than simply performing ceremonial tasks. This commitment to social causes marks a notable evolution in how the royal family approaches their public roles.
At the end of his visit, Prince William shared that he and Kate might have more trips planned for next year, signaling that while their overseas tours may be less frequent, there are still upcoming engagements to look forward to.
