Prince William is staying busy. Really busy. If you’ve been keeping an eye on the headlines this week, you’ve probably noticed the Prince of Wales hasn’t spent much time sitting around Windsor Castle. Just yesterday, January 14, 2026, he was at the castle hosting his very first investiture ceremony of the year. He was handing out honors from King Charles’ New Year Honours list, and honestly, he looked like he was having a blast, especially when he got to chat with retired Lioness legend Millie Bright.
But there is a bigger story brewing.
Kensington Palace just confirmed that William and Kate—the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay, when they’re across the border—are heading to Scotland on January 20. They’ll be hitting Stirling and Falkirk. It sounds like a standard royal trip, right? Well, the timing is what has everyone talking. They’ll be hundreds of miles away from London exactly when Prince Harry is expected to land in the UK for his High Court trial against the Daily Mail’s publisher.
What’s actually on the schedule for the Scotland trip?
It isn't just about the optics of being out of town. The couple is focusing on "Scottish heritage traditions," which basically means they’re going to be doing some very hands-on stuff.
First stop? The National Curling Academy in Stirling. They’re meeting with Team GB and the Paralympic GB curling teams. Since the Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina are coming up fast (February 2026!), William and Kate want to give the athletes a final boost. And yeah, the Palace confirmed they’ll actually be hopping on the ice to try curling themselves.
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Then they’re heading to Radical Weavers. This place is cool—it’s a handweaving studio that uses traditional tartan-making as a form of therapy. Kate has been really leaning into the "power of connection" lately with her public work, and this visit fits that vibe perfectly. They’ll be meeting the founder, Mairi Breslin, and likely trying their hand at the looms.
The "Lumberjack Moment" in Herefordshire
Before the Scotland news broke, William was out in Herefordshire on January 15. This wasn't a "suit and tie" event. He was at a family-run farm owned by a guy named Bowler, who took over the place when he was only 19 after his dad passed away.
William was there to talk about something he’s genuinely passionate about: farmers' mental health. It’s a lonely job. The isolation and the economic stress are brutal.
While he was there, he actually got to work. He was pruning apple trees and ended up wrestling with a stubborn, interlocking branch. When it finally snapped off, he joked about having a "lumberjack moment." He also got "mobbed" by a flock of sheep when he went into their pen to feed them. It’s these kinds of unscripted moments that tend to pop up on Google Discover because they show a side of the future King that isn't just a statue in a palace.
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What most people get wrong about the "Crisis Manager" rumors
You might have seen some chatter about William hiring a "crisis management expert" lately. Some people are spinning this as a "war room" move against Prince Harry.
The reality? It’s more about the Duchy of Cornwall.
Since taking over the Duchy, William has been trying to run it like a modern business. He’s been integrating his and Kate's charitable goals—like mental health support and homelessness prevention—directly into how the estate operates. Hiring top-tier PR and strategy experts is standard for an organization that manages over $1 billion in assets. Sure, the timing with Harry’s return makes for a juicy headline, but the "crisis" is usually more about managing a massive land estate in a volatile economy than it is about family group chats.
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We also can't ignore what just happened in Brazil. The 2026 Earthshot Prize in Rio de Janeiro was a massive success. William called the finalists "the world’s true action heroes."
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What’s different now is the scale. He’s no longer just handing out checks. He’s using his network to connect these winners with people like the CEO of Microsoft UK (Dame Clare Barclay, who he just saw at the investiture) and global investors.
He’s basically becoming a high-level matchmaker for the planet.
Key Takeaways for Royal Watchers
If you’re trying to keep up with the Prince of Wales, here is the "cheat sheet" of what to actually watch for in the coming weeks:
- The Ice Test: Watch for the photos from the National Curling Academy on January 20. These competitive "sporting" outings between William and Kate always go viral.
- The Harry Factor: Expect the media to focus on the distance between London and Stirling next week. It’s a clear signal that the "reconciliation" movement hasn't quite reached the Wales household yet.
- The Duchy Shift: Keep an eye on how William talks about the Duchy of Cornwall. He’s moving away from being just a "landlord" and toward being a "social entrepreneur."
To stay truly updated, follow the official "Prince and Princess of Wales" social media accounts for the video clips they’ve been releasing lately—they’ve gotten much better at "behind-the-scenes" storytelling that feels way less robotic than the old-school palace statements.
Next Steps for You: Check the Court Circular or the official Royal Diary on January 20 to see the exact timing of the Stirling visit. If you're interested in the environmental side, look up the 15 Earthshot finalists from the Rio ceremony; several of them are currently looking for grassroots volunteers and scaling partners.