With the future of the Royal Family resting firmly upong the shoulders of the Prince and Princess of Wales, it seems they are already putting plans in place for their future reign10:16, 02 Jun 2026As the next King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales know the future of the monarchy rests firmly up on their shoulders.‌The couple, who are also the youngest of all the working royals, have the task of keeping the traditional elements of the institution alive while at the same time making it relevant in an ever-changing modern world. And this is why experts say the Wales’s are already forming their own future ‘blueprint’ for the monarchy, which they are putting in place right now after William also previously hinted at change ahead.‌The couple seem to be already breaking the royal mould with a fresh approach to the likes of official overseas visits, their passion projects and even opening up more and more about their lives to the public.‌And Russell Myers, author of the bestselling biography William & Catherine: The Intimate Inside Story, revealed to the Mirror: "The Prince and Princess of Wales are actively laying the foundations for their future as King and Queen.“They are both stepping up the work with their individual causes, and are later this year set to come together for their biggest tour as Prince and Princess of Wales when they take on a diplomatic mission to India, as well as attending the final of William's Earthshot Awards.”‌While former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond agrees, saying William’s tenure as Prince of Wales is proving to be much different to that of his father, the now King Charles.She explained: “William seems very much to be a King in waiting - and one who is making his intentions to shake up the monarchy quite clear. Times have changed, and it no longer seems insensitive to talk about what kind of King he will be.“Both William and Catherine have been laying down markers for how they intend to approach the future. Quite deliberately they’re getting us used to the idea that theirs is going to be a different kind of reign: less formal, less grand, more focused on key targets and more proactively engaged with social media and modern communications.”‌One huge change the couple has already made as they look towards the future starts at home with their living arrangements. Just last year, they left behind their former Windsor home of Adelaide Cottage for a fresh start at the larger Forest Lodge nearby.The five-bedroom property, which it has been revealed that the couple pay over £300,000 in rent each year, has been described as their family’s ‘forever home’ and a sanctuary where they will live, even when they are in the top jobs.‌And Jennie explained: “We get the idea that William and Catherine’s life is quite different from the home lives of previous senior royals - and that’s exactly how they like it. They want to be connected to their generation and to the younger generation.“William wants the freedom to be a regular footy fan and Catherine wants to be a hands-on mum. They refuse to be surrounded by liveried footmen or have live-in household staff. They don’t even intend to live in a Palace or Castle. They are breaking the mould once and for all.”However, it is not the only way William and Kate have been keen to put family life first with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.‌Another element of their blueprint for the future will seemingly see long, drawn out overseas tours of the past replaced with short, sharp yet impactful trips.Just last month, Kate spent just two days in Italy visiting Reggio Emilia on a fact-finding mission as part of her work into children’s early years, which allowed her to balance work with not spending too much time away from her family.‌It is believed that the princess asked her aides off the back of the successful visit: “Where next?” as she takes her crusade on early years provision global.And Russell believes this is something that type of overseas trip will continue long into the future. He explained: “Gone are the days from Queen Elizabeth II's era - or even King Charles's from doing tours lasting anything from three weeks to six months. William and Catherine firstly believe in their responsibility to their family, and that being away from them for extended periods does not benefit their wellbeing or the family unit.“They are responsible for the next generation of senior royals and they feel they have to lead by example to get their family life right.‌"However, they often talk of the scale and impact of their work, or foreign tours and visits, and that's what they've managed to achieve with shorter, more refined international tours and it seems to be working. It's not a formula they will abandon while the children are at school and rely on them."William's praise of Catherine recently during his trip to the Isles of Scilly, speaking of how proud he was of her in her return to royal duties, was not unexpected. They work in tandem a great deal, always asking each other advice and for support with each other's projects.“It was Catherine who convinced William to pursue Earthshot when it was looking difficult to get it off the ground. Likewise with the Princess's early years work, it's a team effort.”‌Of course, making the royals relevant to younger people means having a constant presence on social media and breaking some of the so-called rules that were previously said to be in place when it comes to meeting members of the public.Stiff formal handshakes appear out with hugs the order of the day as well as posing with fans for selfies. On her recent trip to Northern Italy, Kate obliged to countless selfies with fans and in the past, William has even been seen taking the pictures himself on behalf of wellwishers.‌Clips that have gone viral have also helped the prince and princess’s social media presence, such as William surprising Radio 1’s Greg James on his charity bike ride and him taking orders for Cornish pasties at a bakery on a visit to Cornwall from unsuspecting customers.And Jennie said: “With William, we have seen something a bit different. He loves to take people by surprise – to pop up as a waiter, or take a call in a pizza parlour, or drop in at some venue where he isn’t expected. I think as much as he can, he wants to jettison the starchy, inflexible royal schedule and be a bit more spontaneous.”Another part of this seemingly new strategy has seen William especially give rare interviews on platforms not usually associated with royals.‌Last month, he sat down with Heart Breakfast and their presenters Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden, revealing what mornings are like in the Wales household, how the family couldn’t cope without Kate - and even settling the age-old debate on what goes on a scone first, jam or cream.Jennie added: “Live interviews with a senior royal used to be the stuff of dreams for presenters and journalists a few years ago. Now we have William putting out a message to Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston asking them to join him on a trip to the Scilly Isles and inviting himself onto their Heart radio show.‌“His relaxed chat and easy manner show him as a normal kind of guy, despite the strange role he’s been born into. We learn that mornings can be chaotic, the school run noisy and - in a casual exclusive - he lets slip that George sometimes boards at school.”However, not all of William and Kate’s plans for the future are without some controversy. The Prince of Wales in particular has faced criticism, especially in the past over his crusade to help reduce and end homelessness given he is a member of the Royal Family, with access to three different homes.But rather than shy away from any negativity, William has faced his critics head on, saying he wants to use his role to help people where he can.‌And in a bid to put his money where his mouth is, it was recently revealed that he is looking to sell off a fifth of his Duchy of Cornwall estate over the next 10 years in a £500million move. He looks set to sell 20 per cent of the portfolio and use the money to invest in tackling the housing and nature crises.The billion pound property portfolio helps to fund William and Kate’s private lives as well as their office. And Russell explained: “William's decision to take on a cause such as homelessness was certainly a brave one, in terms of a millionaire royal attempting to solve the homelessness crisis in this country and beyond.‌"But he has followed in his mother's footsteps and there is definitely a sense of carrying on her legacy where he is concerned. Yet, William is prepared to go further with his commitment to establishing social housing on Duchy land. A huge effort that no one really expected and one which anyone would find it difficult to criticise.“He has also made huge strides in addressing their unfair rents charged to charities and the NHS on Duchy land, and while it may have taken a journalistic investigation to reveal such unfairness, he has rightly addressed it head on."Of course William and Catherine hope the King has many years left on the throne, but they are readying themselves for when their time comes, because life will be incredibly different when they become King and Queen."Article continues below