Prince William recently shared a rare moment of positivity amid a turbulent year for the royal family, announcing encouraging news about Princess Kate’s recovery following her battle with cancer. “She’s doing really well,” William told attendees in Cape Town, South Africa, where he presented the Earthshot Prize awards on November 6.

However, behind the optimistic facade, the royals are facing a storm of challenges, including a financial scandal implicating both King Charles and William, as well as health issues affecting the monarchy’s senior members.

The controversy centers on a joint investigation by the U.K.'s Channel Four and The Sunday Times, which cast a critical spotlight on the Duchy of Lancaster and the Duchy of Cornwall. These private estates, historically passed down within the royal family, reportedly generate millions annually through land leases tied to public institutions such as charities, hospitals, and even the British military. The arrangement has been described as profiting from taxpayers beyond the $170 million annual sovereign grant allocated for royal duties.

“In the court of public opinion, you always have to be cleaner than clean,” British politician Margaret Hodge said in a documentary titled The King, The Prince & Their Secret Millions. Hodge noted that while Charles and William claim to pay taxes voluntarily on their estates, they have refused to disclose specific amounts.

The scrutiny comes at a challenging time for William, who assumed control of the Duchy of Cornwall in 2022 following Queen Elizabeth II's passing. The scandal is compounded by accusations that William's estate has overlooked critical environmental issues. Tenants have complained of mold and substandard energy efficiency in their rental properties, while a separate controversy erupted over construction plans in Cornwall that allegedly led to a cliff collapse.

“Charles and William often talk a good talk when it comes to the environment,” said environmental writer Guy Shrubsole. “But it’s important to look at what is actually happening on their landholdings.” William has pledged to transform the duchy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2032 and improve conditions for tenants, but backlash remains fierce.

The scandals, coupled with ongoing health concerns for King Charles and Queen Camilla, have placed a tremendous burden on William and Kate to uphold a positive public image of the monarchy. Royal expert Robert Hardman, in a November 2 update to his book Charles III: New King. New Court. The Inside Story, detailed the mounting pressures.

“He has lost his mother, he’s effectively lost his brother, his wife had cancer, his father’s ill, and he’s trying to keep things running,” Hardman quoted a close friend of William as saying. Public attention has also shifted to Charles and Camilla’s health woes, with reports of a chest infection sidelining the queen and speculation that the king is facing his own health challenges.

Meanwhile, Prince Harry’s strained relationship with the royal family may be on the mend, according to sources close to the matter. Reports indicate that Harry has been spending time at Althorp House, reconnecting with members of the Spencer family and reportedly seeking more support from his British relatives. “Harry’s getting more support from his family in the U.K. than people realize,” said a Montecito insider. This development has fueled speculation about a possible reconciliation with Prince William.

Despite her recovery, Princess Kate has not been immune to public scrutiny, facing backlash over a Mother’s Day post earlier this year. As anti-monarchy sentiment grows, the couple has been forced to shoulder more responsibilities, preparing for a future where they may assume the throne sooner than expected. “Kate and William have had to step up,” a source said. “It’s their unique burden to shoulder, and they know what’s at stake.”