William, Kate Transform ‘Hellish’ Royal Routine

Being a member of the British royal family can be a "living hell," where separation and betrayal lurk behind palace walls.

sarah

Nov 15, 2025 - 22:16

William, Kate Transform ‘Hellish’ Royal Routine

This claim was made by royal commentator Kinsey Schofield, host of the YouTube series "Kinsey Schofield Unfiltered." She made this statement after actress Sophie Winkleman—also known as Lady Frederick Windsor—described royal life as "absolute hell," shattering the illusion of a fairytale future. Nevertheless, she believes the Prince and Princess of Wales—Prince William and Kate Middleton—have a different approach to royal life due to their family life and dedication to duty.

"Being a member of the royal family is a living hell," Schofield told Fox News Digital. "The public has high expectations of you. You're expected to have high moral standards. Other people have a say in who you marry. You're expected to look beautiful and always behave well."

"Last year, a reality TV maid, Narinder Kaur, made headlines by criticizing the appearance of Catherine, Princess of Wales," Schofield said. "She said the princess was aging poorly—and this was before we all knew Catherine had cancer."

"The more I get to know the royal family, the more I realize their lives are absolute hell and unsolicited fame is a kind of torture," the 45-year-old told the outlet.

"None of them went on [the UK reality music competition] 'Pop Idol' or any similar show to become famous," she said. "Having such glaring headlines shoved in your face from birth, not knowing who you can trust, not knowing if someone will betray you, people writing lies about you all the time—it's very cruel."

"Isolation is definitely a problem," Schofield continued. "That's why the late Queen preferred to live with her cousins and old friends. The Queen knew she could trust her family members—and they understood her unique circumstances."

Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner told Fox News Digital that being a working member of the royal family—where your destiny is predetermined—is not for the faint of heart.

Winkleman told the outlet that many of his in-laws use their positions for good causes—though they are often the target of negative press coverage. There are certain family members who have been instrumental in highlighting major issues.

"Senior royals work hard with thousands of charities in Britain and around the world—both behind the scenes and out in front of them," Winkleman said. "There's no denying that they add immense prestige and significance to any cause they support."

"The King's Trust is the greatest engineer of social mobility in Britain," he added. "Princess Anne attends approximately 500 engagements each year. The Duchess of Edinburgh recently returned from Sudan, where she met with surgeons who operate on children who have been violently raped—it's a painful and serious job."

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told Fox News Digital that some members of the royal family have worked tirelessly to support their country.

He said, "The importance of the monarchy goes far beyond the display of power. You can make a difference, as King Charles did through his trust. It helps the unemployed and the disadvantaged."

Schofield said, "The Prince and Princess of Wales have made every effort to give their children as normal a life as possible. They go to school, participate in sporting events. Friends are allowed to visit the house, and they play with the dogs outside. The family loves being outdoors."

"This is in stark contrast to William's upbringing, which was sometimes chaotic and unfair.