Prince William to give shock promotion to two 'unknown' royals amid royal family rift

Prince William is expected to create the first new working royals in a generation , with speculation that he will surprise everyone by promoting two relatively unknown family members. However, this move could put him at odds with his aunt, Princess Anne, regarding her future role within the monarchy.

With King Charles's recent cancer diagnosis accelerating plans for William 's ascension to the throne, both Buckingham and Kensington palaces are keen to avoid any disorder during the transition. This could potentially spell trouble for Princess Anne, 74, who has earned her reputation as the 'hardest-working royal' by attending hundreds of events annually.

However, according to Tom Skyes, the Royal editor for The Daily Beast, Prince William may not favor this approach. He suggests that Anne's "raison d'être is zooming around the country squeezing in 500-plus engagements a year".

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But he adds: "William has made it very clear he doesn't see that as the family's role anymore, preferring a tiny number of limited, high-impact engagements and events to the paternalistic, seen-to-be-believed, helicopter-riding royal attitude of old."

While Anne's role may be uncertain depending on when William ascends to the throne, William's bond with his Uncle Edward, 60, could prove beneficial. Sykes suggests that the Duke of Edinburgh and his wife Princess Sophie, 59, who are neither close friends nor foes of the King, have earned the trust and affection of William and Kate, reports the Scottish Daily Express .

This relationship could lead to a promotion once William begins his reign. This speculation extends to their children, Viscount James and Lady Louise, who have mostly stayed out of the public eye, only appearing at events alongside their parents.

Known for her passion for horse riding, Louise, 20, served as a bridesmaid at William's wedding to Kate Middleton in 2011 and has been seen at significant events such as Queen Elizabeth II's funeral and the King's Coronation. James, who became Earl of Wessex in 2023, is just 16 and was the only younger Royal to attend the Easter Mattins Service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle earlier this year.

He too has only been seen at major events with his parents. Both siblings have lakes named after them in Canada.