![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\/c88afdfc-e4e4-4f49-88f8-e151ed44ef4b.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThe Prince of Wales is expected to join his father for a public engagement in the coming days after saying that he did not want to make \u201cthe same mistakes\u201d as his parents.<\/p>\n
William\u2019s comments came in a television programme in which he said that he would bring \u201cchange\u201d to the monarchy. He also hinted at the lasting impact that the \u201cdrama and stress\u201d surrounding his parents\u2019 divorce had had on him growing up.<\/p>\n
Is the prince\u2019s talk of change a criticism of his father\u2019s reign? No, sources close to the prince say. The programme was simply an opportunity for him to set out his stall as a future king.<\/p>\n
Rather than being a \u201cchess piece\u201d king \u2014 a reference to the game piece which can move only one square at a time \u2014 William hopes to be more flexible.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the programme was filmed, a source close to the prince said that clues to his future reign could be seen in the way in which he has approached the Duchy of Cornwall, the vast estate he took over from his father when Charles became King.<\/p>\n
It is understood that William has set about modernising the duchy, with a source saying that he wanted to \u201cget into the weeds\u201d and keep on top of developments by sending WhatsApp messages and visiting farmers in person.<\/p>\n
The Princess of Wales, too, is making changes within her traditional role. A source said that the annual carol service hosted by Kate at Westminster Abbey was a sign of her quietly modernising the monarchy.<\/p>\n
While traditional, the concert often features modern artists and music and is designed and choreographed with a wider television and social media audience in mind.<\/p>\n
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The Princess of Wales arriving at her Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in 2022<\/p>\n
TIMES PHOTOGRAPHER RICHARD POHLE<\/p>\n
Will there be a coronation? Absolutely. However, it is likely to be far simpler and more modern.<\/p>\n
While the King\u2019s cancer treatment continues but with his health improving, William\u2019s message seems well-timed. <\/p>\n
A well-placed source said: \u201cThis is a very clever chance for the public to get to know William better, see the genuine \u2018him\u2019. He\u2019s spoken about future plans at a good time, while the King is well and can be seen going about engagements as usual.\u201d<\/p>\n
Last month William travelled to Scotland without his wife and children to visit the King and catch up with friends, staying at Balmoral while Charles was at Birkhall. <\/p>\n
It came as Anthony Albanese, the Australian prime minister, visited Scotland to meet Charles. Following his 90-minute audience with the King, Albanese hinted that the Prince and Princess of Wales may visit Australia soon. Their last visit was in 2014 when Prince George was a baby.<\/p>\n
Albanese told reporters that there was a \u201cstanding invitation\u201d to members of the royal family to visit Australia. He added: \u201cI hope that the Prince and Princess of Wales are able to visit as well and we are hopeful that might occur in the coming period.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Charles and William there are other matters to discuss, too. While the Duke of Sussex left royal duties more than five years ago, he remains a constant presence. In September he had tea with the King at Clarence House during a visit to the UK. <\/p>\n
![\"Britain's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\/d1a8f24c-ecc9-4ec1-9556-c7053c2e7c7b.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The King with Anthony Albanese<\/p>\n
ANDREW MILLIGAN\/AFP\/GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n
Since then, however, the reunion between Charles and his younger son looks less likely to lead to a fuller reconciliation after Harry accused Palace aides of \u201csabotaging\u201d<\/a> their relationship by leaking details of the meeting, during which he presented his father with a framed family photograph.<\/p>\n Harry is currently fighting a legal case in the UK, arguing that journalists breached his privacy. William has stayed away from the case; however Harry\u2019s lawyer alleged in written submissions<\/a> to the High Court that the heir to the throne may also have been a victim of unlawful information gathering along with the Princess of Wales and her parents.<\/p>\n Harry later said that he was unaware<\/a> that his brother and sister-in-law would be named during the case.<\/p>\n William has said that \u201cfamily\u201d issues overwhelmed him in a way that work no longer did. He also appeared to offer his first public sign of sympathy towards Harry in months.<\/p>\n In the episode of The Reluctant Traveler, released on Apple+ on Friday<\/a>, William spoke of the \u201cinsatiable\u201d media of his youth.<\/p>\n He said: \u201cI hope we don\u2019t go back to some of the practices in the past that Harry and I had to grow up in. And I\u2019ll do everything I can to make sure we don\u2019t regress into that situation.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Eugene](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\/ae3198a4-e8e3-4bb1-a772-c10a91525f84.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Prince](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/\/bb07232d-8c64-4020-8b17-f5eda41d0e68.jpg\")
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