Prince William took on his father's Prince of Wales title after Queen Elizabeth died in 2022, and being just one step from the throne, it's natural that there are conversations about what his reign might look like. Although The King supports a more "slimmed-down" version of the monarchy moving forward—and Prince William is said to as well—there are some family members he could rely on for support when he eventually becomes King.
William's first cousin Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall are said to have a strong bond with the prince and his wife, Princess Kate, and one royal commentator says the Tindalls could help the Prince of Wales "if he calls on them" one day.
Former BBC royal reporter Jennie Bond told the Mirror that while Zara, who is an accomplished equestrian like her mother, Princess Anne, and former England rugby player Mike "don't have titles" but "they obviously have the cachet of being so much part of the extended Royal Family." However, she notes "they have managed to use that commercially without getting into too much bother."
"They are both very close to William, and if he calls on them again (as he did at a garden party last year), they will definitely agree," Bond predicted. Of course, the Tindalls don't have titles and aren't senior working royals, and there's no expectation they ever will be in the future, which the royal commentator noted.
"Not to an official working role, nor do I think the public would want to fund any more working royals," she added. The Prince of Wales is said to be particularly close to Mike, whom he views as another "brother." Along with Zara and Mike, Prince William could also rely on his aunt and uncle, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
According to the Times, "palace insiders believe that under the next reign, William V will be eager for his aunt and uncle to play a more prominent role in public life."
Duchess Sophie, who turns 60 on Jan. 20, and Prince Edward, 60, "get on very well" with Prince William and Princess Kate, per a palace source. "She’s tough, she knows her own mind and will argue her corner. There was always a danger people underestimated her but she stood up for herself, for Edward, for them as a couple," a former palace aide told the Times.
The Duchess of Edinburgh has long been called the Royal Family's secret weapon and has served as Princess Kate's "royal sister," supporting her throughout her recent cancer diagnosis.
“Sophie and Edward were overshadowed because bigger stars in the family came along, and I think at times she did mind that. But she was always pragmatic about their place in the hierarchy," Bond added.
