14 May 2024 , 09:33
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Prince William received a thoughtful gift for his wife Princess Kate and their three young children during a special royal outing on Monday.
King Charles was on hand to personally appoint William as the new Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps - something that has been seen as a snub to Prince Harry.
And while Kate was not able to support her husband in person on his big day, she was no doubt very much on his mind.
During the engagement, William received a special gift for his wife, who is receiving cancer treatment. Fashionable Kate, who has made tartan a staple part of her wardrobe, was given a special Army Air Corp tartan wrap.
Prince George, ten, Princess Charlotte, nine, and six-year-old Prince Louis, meanwhile, each received a wooden helicopter - a seeming nod to their dad's time working as Royal Air Force search and rescue pilot - while William received a scarf.
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Princess Kate has not returned to royal duties since announcing her cancer diagnosis in March and she continues to undergo treatment.
Prince William's new appointment has sparked controversy given the ongoing drama with his younger brother, Prince Harry.
In his role, William is now the leader of his sibling's former regiment. Harry trained as an Army Air Corps pilot in 2009, before serving with the Corps during his second tour in Afghanistan up until 2014.
The timing of the ceremony has also raised eyebrows. It took place shortly after Harry returned to the UK to attend the Invictus Games Foundation's 10th-anniversary celebration at St. Paul's Cathedral in London on May 8.
None of the senior members of the royal family attended the celebration and he did not see his father nor his brother during his stay.
Following the event, Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle visited Nigeria - their first international tour since stepping down as royals in 2020. The last day of their trip was on Sunday - with William receiving his new role from the King 24 hours later.
Former BBC Royal reporter Jennie Bond believes future King William has moved on from the drama surrounding Harry and wife Meghan - and has effectively disowned the brother to whom he was once so close.
Harry has made a series of bombshell claims in books, interviews and TV shows since moving to America with Meghan and tensions remain high.
Bond told OK!: "I think we have to give up hope that the rift between the brothers will be healed at any time in the near future, or indeed ever. William's head and heart must be bursting with all that he has on his plate right now: his wife's cancer treatment, his father's illness, his children growing up fast, the pressure for him to take on more royal duties, the prospect of becoming King earlier than he might ever have wanted.
"Dealing with 'the Harry problem' is probably just one step too far for William. I believe he has moved on with his life and has, to all intents and purposes, disowned the brother to whom he was once so close."
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