Poor baby richard, his father is crule to hand off such a duty immediately to those newly ...

Yes, because the brand new daughter in law (from a much lower and embarrassing family) would absolutely have to seize every opportunity to prove herself and get on his good side! It was an unfair ask that nobody in that position could have tried to turn down.
It really is a reflection of how little he actually cares for and considers Richard. His son is a means to an end, and that’s how he was raised, so it’s not surprising that he developed some personality issues.