The King has encouraged Prince William to spend more time with his wife and young children – because he has ‘years and years of royal duties’ ahead, a royal expert has said.

Speaking to HELLO!, author Ingrid Seward, who has just penned a book on the monarch’s upbringing – called My Mother and I – explained that Charles, 75, has likely urged his heir, 42, to focus on his duties as a father while he still has the chance to.

‘Charles always put duty first because that’s what his mother did. And that’s what Diana decided she wouldn’t do,’ she told the outlet.

‘I think Charles has encouraged William to spend more time with the family and also said to William, “I don’t want you to take on any royal duties until you absolutely have to” because you remember we criticised William the work-shy?’

Ingrid added that this way Charles’s way of saying: ‘You don’t have to do this, be with your young family. Enjoy it while you can. You’ve got years and years and years of royal duties to do.’

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The King has encouraged Prince William to spend more time with his wife and young children – because he has ‘years and years of royal duties’ ahead, a royal expert has said. William and Kate pictured with their children in December

In past, royal experts have claimed that Charles was ‘closer to the Queen Mother‘ as a young boy, as his largely absent monarch mother wasn’t a ‘comforting’ figure during an apparently ‘miserable childhood’.

Speaking to ITV documentary Charles: Our King in 2022, royal author Catherine Mayer said: ‘He grew up in an isolated world, I dubbed it “Planet Windsor”.

‘It operates on a slightly different set of rules to planet Earth. It looks and sounds like ours but it is very lonely.

‘He was very young when his mother became Queen and the bond he had with his mother was never as strong as it might have been because she had a lot of duties.’

The children lived on the top floor of Buckingham Palace at the time where there was a nursery wing and the Queen would visit her children.

Meanwhile, the late Diana, Princess of Wales, has also been praised for her hands-on nature as a mother.

‘I live for my sons. I would be lost without them,’ she once said.

In November 1985, Diana had also remarked: ‘Most importantly, [my role is] being a mother and a wife. That’s what I try to achieve; whether I do is another thing, but I do try.’

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Speaking to HELLO! , author Ingrid Seward, who has just penned a book on the monarch’s upbringing – called My Mother and I – explained that Charles, 75, has likely urged his heir, 42, to focus on his duties as a father while he still has the chance to

King and Queen brave the rain at Sandringham to attend church

In the summer, William appeared to be channeling his mother’s nurturing nature as he attended the Wales – Argentina game with son George.

He was dressed as a mini-me of William, with both wearing matching navy suits and red ties – the latter seemingly a patriotic nod to the Welsh side.

Afterwards, father and son duo met some of the Welsh rugby players to commiserate at their loss.

Trooping the Colour has offered another series of echos down the years, with William’s body language often seeming reminiscent of his late mother’s.

Whether she was in the public eye or in private, Princess Diana was often pictured holding Prince Harry and Prince William were young.

And while William might not cuddle his children publicly as often as the late Princess of Wales did, he will never turn down the opportunity to comfort his children.

The love between Diana and her sons was obvious in photos, as seen in a snapshot of the late Princess of Wales and William during a polo match in May 1987.

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William appears to be channeling his mother’s nurturing nature. Pictured with his children last year

The young royal is pictured holding tightly onto his mother’s hand as she holds her hand on his forehead.

George, who is second in line to the throne, stayed close to his father who rested his hands on George’s shoulders during the traditional Easter Sunday Church service at St Georges Chapel in April, 2022.

Meanwhile, William appeared ready for his royal duties last night, as he arrived at the BAFTAs in London.

The Prince of Wales arrived solo for the award ceremony where he apologised for the Princess of Wales‘ absence as she continues to recover at their family home following her abdominal surgery.

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Pictured: Prince Harry, Prince William and their mother Princess Diana pictured in Majorca, Spain on 1987

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Diana and Charles pictured with their sons – William’s Housemaster Dr Andrew Gailey – when the Prince of Wales went to Eton

The heir, who has been president of the EE British Academy Film Awards since 2010, was seen cheerfully posing for photos with members of the public as he walked down the red carpet.

The Prince, who cut a sharp figure wearing his trademark navy velour suit jacket and dickie bow, went on to greet the award’s organisers telling them ‘I am sorry Catherine’s not here, she does love the BAFTAs’.

William, who has been focusing on his family following his wife’s medical procedure and his father King Charles’ shock cancer diagnosis, said he had not watched as many of the nominated films as usual admitting he’s had ‘other things on my mind’.

The father-of-three added that he ‘hopes to catch up’ and will watch the films alongside his recovering wife.

Film fanatics who had lined-up outside the Royal Festival Hall were pleased to here the Prince had watched Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer but were shocked to find out he was yet to watch Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, starring Margot Robbie.

‘I haven’t seen Barbie yet,’ the Prince admitted, with excited fans telling him ‘You need to see it.’

Once inside, the Prince took a seat next to Hollywood royalty Cate Blanchett as they prepared to watch the ceremony presented this year by David Tennant.

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The Prince opted for a velour navy blue dinner jacket, dickie bow and patent black brogues for the most glamorous night in the British film calendar

A host of A-listers descended on London’s South Bank this evening with Margot Robbie, Emma Stone, Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh amongst those making a dazzling appearance.

Tonight’s awards marks the first high-profile royal engagement Prince William has made since his wife’s major operation and father’s diagnosis.

Earlier this month he gave a speech at a London charity engagement raising funds for London’s Air Ambulance Charity’s new fleet of helicopters earlier this month.

It was thought he might skip the ceremony, which he usually appears arm in arm with Kate, but the Prince was keen to continue with his duties and represent the Royal Family at the prestigious event.

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The Prince apologised for his wife’s absence as she continues to recover from abdominal surgery. Pictured: Prince William and Kate Middleton pictured at the BAFTA awards in 2023

Kate had surgery on January 16 at the London clinic and has since returned to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor to be with her three children.

Last night’s ceremony marks the 77th annual award, with Nolan’s atomic bomb biopic expected to be a big winner after receiving 13 nominations.

Prince William has been a patron for 14 years with his wife first attending the event with her husband in 2017.

At last years event, Kate Middleton opted for an Alexander McQueen one shoulder gown for the occasion, which she first wore to the event in 2019.

For his outfit, William kept things classic and simple in a double-breasted black velvet tuxedo jacket.