King Charles and Prince William have maintained busy schedules in recent months — Charles visiting Italy and William traveling to Estonia, even standing in for his father at the pope’s funeral in Rome in April.

They’ve appeared together at events like Commonwealth Day, but William and Princess Kate’s choice to skip a private Easter gathering with the rest of the royals stirred speculation, particularly amid reports that Charles disregarded his son’s wishes by extending an invitation to Prince Andrew.

Around the same time, Meghan Markle’s continued use of her HRH title reignited tensions. The Daily Beast reported that William was “enraged” and would firmly put an end to such behavior once he becomes king — suggesting Charles had become too passive and “lost control.”

William’s growing assertiveness has been increasingly evident, especially since Charles’ cancer diagnosis. “William’s voice and influence have become louder and more pronounced in recent years,” former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told In Touch.

“He is now very much the king in waiting, and his views of how the monarchy should adapt and evolve are being listened to.” While some claim the difference between Charles and William is merely a clash of styles, others believe a deeper, more personal rift is playing out.

As Omid Scobie described in his book Endgame, the “brewing power struggle between the favored prince and the unpopular king is Shakespearean” — a family feud unfolding both publicly and behind closed doors.

At the heart of the divide is their differing approach to handling controversial family members. Bond noted, “I believe William was a significant voice in how Prince Harry and Meghan should be treated, and also in how his uncle, Andrew, should be dealt with,” contrasting with Charles, who is seen as more forgiving.

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams added that William’s stance toward Harry “hardened considerably after the way the Sussexes have attacked the royal family,” whereas Charles retains “a certain empathy” for his younger brother — an empathy William “does not share.”