A leaked note outlining the Queen's plans for Prince William to represent her at a growing number of events is causing a stir as rumors that the Queen may be passing the crown over Prince Charles to William swirl. This is unlikely however as the leaked note shows that the idea was not the Queen's alone but Prince Charles as well.
The note was leaked from the Treasury after discussions to update Prince Charles financial arrangements. The Prince of Wales is seeking a tax relief to help cover the costs of his sons public duties. Prince Charles, who relies on the income of the Duchy of Cornwall to support he and his family's costs, has so far covered all the expenses of his sons William or Harry, neither of whom are covered by the Civil List; the government grant which supports the costs of all other senior members of the royal family.
A spokesman for St James's Palace explained, "The Royal Household and HMRC agreed to update the Memorandum of Understanding for the first time in many years to reflect changes in the Royal Family. The previous Memorandum still included the Princess of Wales and not Prince William or Prince Harry.
"The new MoU merely streamlined the bureaucratic arrangements concerning Prince William's and Prince Harry's official lives. The new MoU made no difference to the amount of tax paid by the Prince’s Household."
Previously looked after by Prince Charles's office the tax break will fund Princes William and Harry's office, which the two princes were given this year. Being granted their own office with its six member staff is a sign of their increasing public profile. A profile that the note suggests the Queen is looking to increase in the very near future.
Although the St James's spokesperson went on to stress that the princes will continue to make the military their main focus, the leaked note said that the princes, William especially, are expected to carry out more royal duties and even attend engagements on behalf of the Queen. To most royal watchers this will not come as a surprise. In January William will represent the Queen in New Zealand and Australia and Harry undertook his first overseas visit this summer. But the note goes on to say that over the next year William is expected to take her place in a number of other duties hence the issue over his new and increasing expenses.
Since the note was leaked Buckingham Palace spokesman Miguel Head has denied the rumor that the Queen wants William to become king ahead of Charles as "nonsense" and that William's main focus will continue to be the military.
Note that he didn't say he wouldn't be representing the Queen more often though. ;)