Prince William, the Prince of Wales, received significant caution about his vision for the monarchy after a royal pundit asserted that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were "waiting in the wings" to "upstage" the institution.
Prince William recently disclosed his intentions to modernize the Royal Family on his visit to South Africa for the Earthshot Prize.
"I can only describe what I'm trying to do, and that's I'm trying to do it differently and I'm trying to do it for my generation. And to give you more an understanding around it, I'm doing it with maybe a smaller R in the royal if you like; that's maybe a better way of saying it," the husband of Princess Kate shared.
Last week, King Charles had a busy agenda and attended the extravagant "Gladiator II" premiere in London; unfortunately, he was alone as Queen Camilla was recuperating from a chest infection.
Royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop remarked that King Charles appeared "isolated" on the red carpet in Leicester Square, asserting a notable absence of glamour. She conveyed to The Mirror that there was no retro elegance, tinsel, or tiaras. The royal institution has resolved to offset a diminished public profile via unwavering philanthropy on ITV.
Tessa remarked that the Royal Family may perceive themselves as superior to ostentatious antics. Such an action would constitute an error. In the background, the former royals, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, await their opportunity.
The Sussex pair reportedly possesses an innate charm and a flair for blending entertainment allure with philanthropic endeavors. Prince William was cautioned that the royal brand must never be overshadowed.
Meanwhile, Prince William disclosed that his three children's education supersedes public engagements during the concluding days of his visit to Cape Town, South Africa, for the Earthshot Awards.
In an interview with U.K. media, Prince William emphasized the importance of his children's education over their royal responsibilities. "Family-wise, you'll have to wait a little bit longer because obviously they’re at school, and I think that takes priority over everything else," the Prince of Wales told HELLO Magazine.
Prince William indicated that following a "brutal" year during which his father and wife contended with cancer diagnoses, the Princess of Wales will be prepared to participate in more events in 2025.
"But I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we'll have some more trips maybe lined up," Prince William added. "It's hard to describe what that is all about, but I can only describe what I'm trying to do, and that I'm trying to do it differently and I'm trying to do it for my generation. And to give you more an understanding around it, I'm doing it with maybe a smaller 'r' in the royal, if you like, that's maybe a better way of saying it."
During Prince William's stay in South Africa, Princess Kate and their children—George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six—lived at their Adelaide Cottage, Windsor residence, as per Vanity Fair.
On the final day of his visit to Cape Town, during which five recipients received £1 million to further their environmental initiatives, the future King projected towards 2025, noting that although his children are unlikely to participate in any trips, he and Princess Kate had travel plans forthcoming. The excursions are expected to be brief and in proximity to home.
The contrasting approaches of Prince William and Prince Harry sparked discussions among netizens. “William’s ‘smaller r’ vision is refreshing, but Harry and Meghan’s star power is undeniable," one X user said.
“The royals don’t need to compete with Hollywood antics. Tradition is their strength," another netizen stated. “William’s focus on Earthshot and education is inspiring—let’s hope it sets a strong precedent," a third X user shared.
Business Times has reached out to Prince William and Prince Harry for comments.
