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Prince William, Kate Middleton pull back from public eye this month as ‘work-shy’ criticism lingers: experts
Prince William and Kate Middleton are taking a step back from the public eye this April to spend time with their children — a move that comes amid past criticism of the prince’s workload.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to scale back their schedule of royal duties in the coming weeks as their three children are on a school break, People magazine reported. The royal children — Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7 — attend Lambrook School, which ended its term on March 27. Students won’t be back in the classroom until April 22.
Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace for comment.
“William and Kate have traditionally taken time off during their children’s school holidays to try to normalize their upbringing as much as they can,” royal broadcaster Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital.
“There has obviously been a lot of strain on the children’s lives due to Kate’s past cancer diagnosis. And like everyday parents, they wish to create as many positive and happy memories for the family to cherish.”
In January 2025, Kate announced that her cancer was officially in remission.
WATCH: PRINCE WILLIAM ‘ADAMANT’ ABOUT GIVING HIS CHILDREN A NORMAL LIFE: AUTHOR
The family may travel abroad during the break, the outlet reported. The royals were spotted skiing in the French Alps last year. They typically retreat to Anmer Hall, their country home in Norfolk, where they spend time outdoors.
In 2020, Kate revealed on the “Happy Mum, Happy Baby” podcast that her favorite times with the family are “outside in the countryside, and we’re all filthy dirty.”
“I feel the British public accepts this situation,” said Turner. “The couple is known to go into the countryside, trekking through muddy forests and getting dirty. And skiing is a passion for William and Kate.”
“The timing isn’t random,” British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. “The couple typically prioritizes family time during school holidays. Their decision may subtly challenge King Charles’ work-heavy model of monarchy. However, their decision is well thought through and approved of by the king. And it’s a practical decision to ensure their children have a balanced upbringing.”
“Focusing on quality engagements around their children’s school breaks and prioritizing their family’s needs is a balanced approach that will benefit the future of the monarchy,” Chard added.
The decision also comes as William has faced scrutiny over his workload, Turner noted.
“William has his own plans for the future regarding work,” he said. “Many royal watchers will look at it closely. He has been criticized in the past for being lazy and only performing duties he enjoys rather than the heavier workload of his father, King Charles, and his aunt Princess Anne.”
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Over the years, William has repeatedly drawn criticism for not taking on as many duties as other family members, earning him the label “work-shy.”
Royal experts previously told Fox News Digital that Anne, who has been crowned “the hardest-working royal” by the press, was hopeful that her nephew would pick up the slack as he prepares to be king one day. Those comments came after The Sunday Times reported that William “annoys” his aunt when it comes to their shared royal duties.
Several unnamed sources close to Anne claimed that she wanted to see the father of three do more “bread-and-butter” royal engagements. The outlet pointed out that only the king, as well as Anne and William, conduct investitures, many of which take place at Windsor Castle.
Fox News Digital reached out to Buckingham Palace at the time.
Investitures are ceremonies in which a senior royal presents medals to people recognized for their significant contributions. The ceremonies are traditionally held at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle. According to the royal family’s website, there are about 30 investitures each year.
But Fordwich said William and Kate take a different approach to royal duties.
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“They are approaching their royal roles in a more mission-driven manner to make a tangible difference,” she said. “Prince William has spoken directly about this, as well as his determination to avoid repeating the emotionally distant upbringing usually associated with royal tradition.”
“He has always relished the regular middle-class activities of Princess Catherine’s family,” Fordwich said. “From the outset, he thoroughly enjoyed the normalcy of her family. He has stated on numerous occasions his desire to be family-oriented and more relatable at all the events they attend. This has been well received by the public, as reflected in their popularity in the polls.”
One palace insider told People magazine that William and Kate have been raising their children differently from other royals. The source said they’re leaning into Kate’s non-aristocratic upbringing.
British royals expert Hilary Fordwich told Fox News Digital that the couple’s decision to scale back from royal duties this month isn’t a “crisis” as some may think.
“It’s about doing the right thing,” she stressed. “Every year, they focus on family time during the Easter holiday season. Given all the issues surrounding [other family members], this is a wise move to ensure future stability. Such quality family time is extremely beneficial for the development of well-rounded, adjusted children.”
Fordwich previously told Fox News Digital that William and Kate are recognized as doting parents behind palace doors, and they have been determined to work together as a team.
“Prince William and Kate Middleton’s parenting style is extremely hands-on by royal standards,” she said at the time. “Those traveling with and receiving Prince William and his eldest son, Prince George, have commented on their close bond and even similar mannerisms.”
“Prince William craves normalcy after his tumultuous childhood,” Fordwich shared. “One of the great appeals Kate had for William was her stable family. Those closest to her have always shared that she and Prince William wanted the children to live in the real world, not a gilded bubble.”
“They want them to grow up having the same experiences as other kids.”
“William and Catherine have been determined that their children will have as normal an upbringing as possible and that their privacy and well-being will have a priority,” royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams also told Fox News Digital. “This was clear from the beginning.”
“The balance they have struck with releasing photographs and arranging appearances of their children in exchange for privacy seems an excellent one,” he added.
It’s a similar sentiment a palace insider shared with People magazine.
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“Those children look pretty happy with life,” the unnamed source told the outlet. “A lot of it is the stabilizing normality Kate brings — and that’s how she grew up. William absolutely loves it.”
“Coming from a different background, she appreciates the importance of having family time,” said a source close to the royal household. “She wasn’t brought up in that aristocratic setting where you see the children for a short time each day.”
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Carville tells Dems to quietly prepare power grab with DC, Puerto Rico statehood and Supreme Court packing
Veteran Democratic strategist James Carville suggested on Thursday that Democrats should quietly prepare to launch a variety of structural changes to ensure a political advantage once they regain power.
Carville and co-host Al Hunt of the “Politics War Room” podcast took questions from listeners on an episode released Thursday. One asked that if Democrats return to power in 2029, whether they should “flood the zone with a corrective implementation policy using their majority to simultaneously enact a myriad of structural changes to save our democracy and preserve our rights?”
“I’ve got some thoughts about what the Democrats should do [when] they return to power in 2029,” Hunt replied. “But, you know, I haven’t thought it through thoroughly, yet. I’m really focused on what they should do when they win the House and maybe the Senate in 2027, and that’s to hold Trump as accountable as they possibly can.”
Carville, however, offered a more aggressive plan of action, saying, “If the Democrats win the presidency and both houses of Congress, I think on day one, they should make Puerto Rico [and] D.C. a state, and they should expand the Supreme Court to 13. F— it. Eat our dust.”
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Statehood for Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico are believed to overwhelmingly favor Democrats, likely giving them four more Senate seats. This move, along with expanding the Supreme Court, would likely be viewed by Republicans as a power grab in the pursuit of ensuring a party’s political dominance.
“They’ve done everything they could,” Carville continued. “They held up the 2000 election. They stole it. They’ve stolen Supreme Court seats. They’ve gerrymandered everything that you can.”
In order to make these changes happen, Carville advises Democrats not to publicly advertise them.
“Don’t run on it. Don’t talk about it. Just do it,” he said.
He then complained about how low-populated states are able to elect too many senators.
JAMES CARVILLE URGES DEMOCRATS TO CONSIDER EXPANDING SUPREME COURT IF THEY REGAIN POWER
Carville has made bombastic predictions before, such as believing before the election that Trump, having returned to the White House, would jail journalists and commentators like himself.
But after the first few months of Trump’s presidency, Trump’s once seemingly unbreakable coalition has shattered as some of his most prominent backers have accused him of betraying key campaign promises. With experts predicting defeat for Republicans in the midterm elections, Carville thinks the already stymied president will resign from the presidency afterward.
He has also predicted that political and legal retribution will not only target Trump, but his family, their spouses, and his allies.
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WWE women’s champ Jade Cargill on why she has the edge over Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 42
Jade Cargill has been a constant presence in the WrestleMania spotlight since she joined WWE in 2023.
Cargill teamed with Naomi and Bianca Belair at WrestleMania 40 to defeat Dakota Kai, Asuka and Kairi Sane. Cargill pinned Kai for the win in that match. At WrestleMania 41, Cargill made history being a part of the first non-stipulation women’s singles match at the event. She defeated Naomi after their friendship fracture.
She is back in the spotlight once more – this time as the WWE women’s champion.
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Cargill won the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event in November, defeating Tiffany Stratton. On Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, she will defend the championship against women’s Elimination Chamber winner Rhea Ripley.
She expressed to Fox News Digital in an interview before her match on Sunday night that she has the edge going in.
“I mean, I’m me. I’m Jade Cargill. I’m the champ. I’m stronger. I’m bigger,” she said. “I mean, she’s been here before, right? Several times. So have I. I’ve had matches against Naomi. Naomi is spectacular in her own right. She was our champion. The only reason why she dropped the title was because she was pregnant. So, it’s not like I haven’t gone up against champions who have graced major events and who have been spectacular in their own right.
“I’ve done this before. I mean, I’m me, that’s all I have to say. The only way to go is up. She’s been up. It’s time to go down. I just don’t see it ending right now. I’m 2-0. I’m red hot. I just formed a group with Michin and B-Fab. Who’s going to stop us?”
Cargill wouldn’t say whether Michin and B-Fab will be by her side at her WrestleMania match but stressed that she found allies in them as Ripley turned her attention away from “Monday Night Raw” and onto “Friday Night Smackdown.”
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She suggested to Fox News Digital the three were allies of convenience rather than a full-fledged stable.
“We’re more of allies. We’re not a group, we’re more of allies. They had their issues with her. I came in with my issues. Like, who are you to come to SmackDown? And I look at our locker room and I’m like, ‘This girl came from Raw to SmackDown and she thinks she’s going to run things and you guys are gonna let …’ Because I played by the rules for too long. I was trying to adjust. It was a year of adjustments – all these things. I was trying to do things the right way when all along, that little voice in me was telling me, ‘No, you know the right way, and the right way is left. Don’t go right. Don’t listen. It’s gonna get you nowhere. You’re going to be going in circles for years.’ And that’s what I was doing.
“So, we all came together and we figured out … Well, they came to me and it was more so, like, ‘You know what? You were right. It shouldn’t be like this. We should band together and get this person who is an outsider, let’s get her out.’ She doesn’t even deserve to be on SmackDown. And that’s why we became allies. We both have a common enemy. And so, we were like, let’s get rid of this girl. Let’s be done. And that was smart.”
Cargill said getting to this point had been a lot of “trial and error” since she joined WWE.
She made her debut at the 2024 Royal Rumble and made her mark on SmackDown by helping out Naomi and Belair. She and Belair became two-time tag team champions in that span and in 2025, she won the Queen of the Ring tournament.
“It’s been a trial-and-error run. It’s also been a trial of adjustments because I was used to being one way,” Cargill told Fox News Digital. “I came in as a babyface while naturally I’m a heel. I want people to hate me. I love the motivation behind it. And then going from being all about myself and into a tag team, that was an adjustment as well.
“It was a lot of elements that I had to change about myself and about my character and growing and learning to be selfless and learning to be a good guy and to care. … So, it was years of trial and error and just adjustments.”
Cargill’s reign has surpassed 165 days and will look to continue her dominance through WrestleMania 42 this weekend.
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Starmer and Macron accused of ‘playing at being relevant’ with Strait of Hormuz plan
As British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron convene a summit Friday on the future of the Strait of Hormuz, the two leaders are pushing a European-led plan to reopen the vital shipping lane after the war, without U.S. leadership.
The proposal envisions a post-conflict naval mission made up of Britain, France and other “non-belligerent” countries that would deploy only after fighting ends. Unlike President Donald Trump’s current strategy of blockading Iranian ports with U.S. naval power, the Anglo-French initiative is intended to be separate from the warring parties and focused on restoring commercial shipping.
A senior European official insisted the initiative is not meant to go around Washington, telling Fox News Digital that Paris began discussing a future maritime mission “from day one” of the conflict and is now formalizing those plans jointly with London.
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Macron and Starmer are expected to host a summit to advance what both governments describe as a “coordinated, independent, multinational plan” to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once the fighting ends.
“France and the United Kingdom will also host a conference in Paris this Friday, bringing together by video conference non-belligerent countries ready to contribute, alongside us, to a multilateral and purely defensive mission aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait when security conditions allow,” Macron wrote on X.
Starmer similarly described the effort as a “coordinated, independent, multinational plan to safeguard international shipping when the conflict ends,” saying Britain had already convened more than 40 nations around the initiative, Reuters reported. Washington was not part of those earlier talks.
The European senior official said the proposed force would be “strictly defensive” and would only deploy after active fighting and bombardment have ended, with the goal of restoring normal shipping rather than enforcing a wartime corridor.
“What we want in the end is no blockade, no toll, no nothing that blocks the fluidity of what is going through the Strait of Hormuz,” the official told Fox News Digital, while stressing that Iran remains “the first problem.”
The official also rejected suggestions that Paris and London are trying to sideline the Trump administration, saying the U.S. has been kept informed and that there is extensive coordination with Washington even if the emerging mission is currently limited to “non-belligerent” countries.
WATCH: EX-NATO CHIEF DRAWS RED LINE AS TRUMP FUMES ALLIANCE ABANDONED US DURING IRAN WAR
“We’re coordinating a lot with them,” the official said, adding that the goal is to create a framework that can operate once the conflict is over.
Macron has repeatedly emphasized that France’s envisioned mission would be “strictly defensive” and ruled out escorting ships while “bombings” are ongoing. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said “several dozen countries” already had participated in preparatory discussions led by military chiefs of staff, and that any future mission would also require coordination with Gulf coastal states, according to Reuters.
The Anglo-French initiative comes as Trump has taken a far more aggressive approach, ordering the U.S. Navy to blockade Iranian ports and continue operations aimed at securing the strategic waterway after ceasefire talks between the U.S. and Iran collapsed in Pakistan.
Critics argue that without American military power, the European proposal risks being largely symbolic.
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Britain and France are overstating what they can realistically achieve, The Henry Jackson Society analyst Barak Seener said.
“Britain and France are playing at being relevant as so-called ‘Middle Powers’ in international affairs,” Seener told Fox News Digital.
“Keir Starmer’s assertion ‘We’re not getting dragged into the war’ disguises the embarrassing fact that the Royal Navy is facing a hollowed out crisis, causing the initiative to be ‘strictly defensive’,” he said.
“France’s navy is also facing structural and budgetary pressures that strain its ability to conduct high-tempo operations.”
“It is laughable that a European coalition of ‘non-belligerent’ countries that are only willing to engage once hostilities have ended can even speak of protecting its shipping lanes,” Seener added.
“Ultimately, the U.S.’s deployment of hard power, consisting of carrier strike groups and fighter aircraft to blockade Iranian ports and clear mines from the Strait of Hormuz, can protect shipping lanes.”
The U.K. government and the White House did not reply to Fox News Digital’s request for comment before publication.
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