A notable politician has noted two major shifts in Prince William’s demeanor since he assumed the title of Prince of Wales. The 43-year-old royal was granted the title by his father, King Charles, after the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022.
William was given the prestigious role and title on 9 September 2022 by King Charles, just one day after the late Queen’s death. The former Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove, has had a number of professional encounters with Prince William, including discussions at a government conference on illegal wildlife trade back in 2018, which enabled him to note the change.
According to the former Conservative MP, there was a marked shift in William’s “authority” and “confidence” once he transitioned from Duke of Cambridge to Prince of Wales.
Gove further added: “When I met him for the illegal wildlife trade, he was charming and quite self-possessed. But it was more by way of, ‘What can I do to help?’.
“As Prince of Wales it was more, ‘These are my plans.’ And while at certain points he deferred to members of his team, it was clear he was chairman of the board. You could sense he had grown in authority and confidence.”
When William was preparing to launch his homelessness project, Homewards, Michael, then serving as secretary of state for levelling up, housing and communities, was among the politicians he consulted.
He explained William had “a pretty detailed knowledge of the challenge,” which left him “impressed” as Gove was quoted in royal author, Valentine Low’s Power and the Palace, currently being serialised by The Times.
Together with his wife, Princess Kate, who became Princess of Wales simultaneously, they reportedly took on new offices, personnel, and ceremonial obligations, plus patronages formerly linked with King Charles’s position as Prince of Wales.
The family of five currently resides at Adelaide Cottage, a four-bedroom property in Windsor, where they have lived for the past three years.
Later this year, the family will relocate to Forest Lodge, a Grade II-listed Georgian manor in Windsor Great Park. In a statement from Kensington Palace, it was confirmed that William and Kate will personally finance their move and renovations, ensuring no extra burden on taxpayers.
Ingrid Seward editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, told Hello! Magazine: “William and Kate have never wanted live-in staff; I think that’s the modern way. Since William was a little boy, he’s seen all the staff at the late Queen’s homes, and he never wanted that. It’s not something Kate grew up with either.”