In the midst of mounting speculation surrounding the British royal family, Prince William carries on with his official duties. On Thursday morning, the Prince of Wales inaugurated a new youth center in London while headlines continued to focus on the whereabouts of his wife, Kate Middleton, and a recent photo-editing scandal.

With a beaming smile, the 41-year-old Prince engaged in various activities with children at the WEST youth center in Hammersmith. The facility, which stands for "Where Everyone Sticks Together," is run by OnSide, an organization that both Prince William and Princess Diana (42) have previously supported.

Kensington Palace released a statement saying, "The Prince joined a gathering of young people who have come together to celebrate the launch of the new Youth Zone with a plaque unveiling." During his visit, Prince William interacted with students from a local elementary school and members of the facility's Young People's Development Group.

Sporting a friendly competitive spirit, the heir to the throne participated in games of netball and basketball in the center's state-of-the-art sports hall and fitness suite. He also took a tour of the building, where he showed particular interest in the fully equipped kitchen, which is aimed at encouraging students to learn cooking skills.

The Prince was accompanied by Kevin McGrath, Deputy Lieutenant for the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, who represented the monarch at the event. McGrath guided Prince William through the center and introduced him to various aspects of its facilities.

Abscences were noted as Kate Middleton, currently in recovery from abdominal surgery, was unable to join her husband. Later in the day, both William and his estranged brother, Prince Harry (39), participated in a memorial event for their late mother, Princess Diana, in London. However, the brothers' ongoing rift was evident as they did not reunite in person.

Prince Harry made a virtual appearance via video call at the Diana Legacy Awards, while William delivered a speech and presented awards to 20 recipients at the ceremony held in London's Science Museum. The separation in their participation highlighted the strain in their relationship, with rumors suggesting they have not seen each other since King Charles' coronation on May 6, 2023.

It is believed that the brothers did not meet during Harry's brief 24-hour trip to London in February. As speculation continues to swirl around the royal family, Prince William remains focused on his official duties, opening the new youth center and honoring his mother's legacy.