William 'Shadow King' Denial

Buckingham Palace has denied media reports that Prince William is to assume more of the Queen's official duties.

A royal spokesman said the claims were a "total and utter fabrication"

It had been suggested the Queen was preparing to hand over more responsibilities to her grandson next year.

According to the Mail on Sunday, the 83-year-old Monarch wanted to reduce her workload.

Buckingham Palace refuted any insinuation the Prince of Wales was being by-passed in favour of 27-year-old William.

The Mail purported to have viewed Treasury documentation indicating financial arrangements relating to the princes was being adjusted to support potential role changes.

Republican campaigners said the data, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, suggested the Royal Family was hatching a plan to install William as a 'Shadow King'.

The Treasury paper detailed tax costs incurred by William and his younger brother Harry's new office.

It includes the line: "The princes [William and Harry] will increasingly incur expenditure when undertaking engagements on behalf of the Queen."

But a royal spokesman told BBC News: "Prince William is gradually undertaking more public engagements as he takes on more patronage. However, his focus remains for the foreseeable future on his military career."

He added: "We were not asked about this report before it appeared otherwise we would have corrected it."

The Queen will enter the 58th year of her reign in 2010.

(PR/BMcC)