I'm curious: just what makes the task of Prince of Wales so very difficult and demanding as opposed to, for example, steel worker or nurse or school teacher or mother?
Largely because it is self driven. In the past some princes of Wales just spent money and enjoyed a life of luxury on the proceeds of the Duchy of Cornwall.
Charles during his time has taken on the Duchy, and grown it as a business and estate. As to be able to provide vast funds not only to fund himself but all his major charities. In particular the Princes Trust. Prior to Charles the Duchy did not pay taxes, however now it pays the sam taxes as any other Estate and business.
He has developed the job to be the driver of some of the largest charities in the country. And unlike most of the royals not just as a figure head. The job also entails standing in for the monarch in matters of state. And like the Queen he received daily state papers to read and comment on and or approve.
All this in addition to representing the monarch in almost daily events and preparing the necessary speeches.
The prince of Wales is not funded by the state, unlike other Royals.
King Charles has now passed the role and estate to his eldest son. It would seem to be a very good apprenticeship for any monarch. His predecessor Edward VIII was just a spender and ran down the Duchy of Cornwall estate. King George VI was never the Prince of Wales. Nor Was Queen Elizabeth.
The role has been largely defined by Charles. Hopefully his hard work and success will be continued by his son. There is no certainty that he will be up to it.