Speculation about tension within the Royal Family has grown this week after news broke that the Prince and Princess of Wales will not attend next week’s high-profile VJ Day commemorations.
The annual event on 14 August marks Japan’s surrender in 1945, bringing the Second World War to a close. This year’s programme carries extra weight, as it marks exactly 80 years since the victory. King Charles III is set to deliver an address from Buckingham Palace, joined by senior royals and political leaders at ceremonies throughout the week.
But Prince William and Catherine, along with their three children—George, Charlotte, and Louis—will be absent from the spotlight. The couple’s decision quickly drew comment online, with some social media users questioning their commitment to royal duties.
On Reddit, one poster summed up the mood bluntly: “All is not well in the House of Windsor.” Others took a more sarcastic tone, joking that the Waleses had “earned another holiday” after a summer of lighter-than-usual public engagements. Several referenced Catherine’s early-years animated video campaign, suggesting her involvement had been minimal.
Critics also raised a more serious point—if the couple continues to scale back appearances, it could fuel debate about the value of the monarchy. “If they aren’t doing public engagements, then we need to start slashing their budget,” one commenter argued. “The whole point of the royal family is to be visible, to represent charities and national interests. If they’re not doing that, they can pay for their own security.”
Some went further, predicting that the Waleses’ approach could signal a major shift in the institution’s future. “I honestly believe they will be the end of the monarchy,” one post read, while another quipped that their reign might amount to “an annual email from their vacation destination.”
Whether the criticism will prompt a change in schedule remains to be seen. For now, the couple appears set on keeping their summer free from one of Britain’s most significant wartime commemorations.