Prince William returned to public duty on February 7.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
William paused his royal engagements amid Kate’s surgery and recovery, returning to work on February 7 for an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
The same day, he attended a gala raising money for the London Air Ambulance, and he thanked the public for their messages of support for Kate, Town & Country reported.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to say thank you, also, for the kind messages of support for Catherine and for my father, especially in recent days,” he said, adding that “it means a great deal to us all.”
He has attended a handful of public events since. The public was predicted to look to William in Charles and Kate’s absences, as he represents the monarchy’s future as heir to the throne.
“It’s an opportunity for him to communicate on behalf of the royal family,” Eric Schiffer, the chairman of Reputation Management Consultants, said.
In addition, the public generally responds to younger royals more favorably. Without Kate, as well as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, William’s youth could be a boon for the monarchy, as Kristen Meizner, a royal watcher, told BI.
“They are most focused on the royals when they are of courtship age, getting married, having babies, that kind of thing,” she said. “They’re not necessarily considered as dazzling or as exciting to the public when they’re 60 or 70 or whatnot.”
