-
When Prince William becomes King in due course, he’ll be keen to do it his own way—less ribbon-cutting and more action, sources say.
-
William may also eschew his father King Charles’ “slimmed-down monarchy,” adding other family members into the mix that weren’t working royals before.
-
The Prince of Wales is reportedly looking to increase the royal role of cousins like Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Zara Tindall when he takes the throne.
While the role of a monarch remains largely the same from person to person, each King or Queen puts their own spin on the role. When Prince William becomes King someday—whenever that day may be—he is reportedly planning this “radical departure” from the way his father King Charles has done business heretofore.
Speaking on the May 23 episode of True Royalty TV’s The Royal Beat, royal editor for The Times Kate Mansey said that William has changes afoot when he takes on the top job, including veering away from “shaking some hands” in favor of making a real “difference” (via Marie Claire).
Getty
King Charles and Prince William on May 13, 2024
“I think what’s really interesting about this is I wrote a profile about William recently, and someone very close to him was saying that this is a move away from these classic kinds of patronages where you would go and support an existing charity to actual projects,” Mansey said.
William “wants to come away and think, ‘I’ve made a difference there, there’s money that’s gone into that community center or there’s something that’s happened because I went there,’ rather than just showing up and shaking some hands,” she continued.
Mansey added that this is “quite a radical departure, really, from what the King does or what the late Queen [Elizabeth] did.”
Getty
Queen Elizabeth, Prince William, and Kate Middleton
In Mansey’s aforementioned piece for The Times, William Hague—who works with William at the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife initiative—said, “He’s not one for long meetings or going around the same thing again. I’ve often heard him say, ‘There’s been too much talk about that. We need to see some action.’”
In addition to steering away from “ribbon-cutting representation” a la monarchs before him, William may also eschew Charles’ famous “slimmed-down monarchy” approach and expand his cousins’ role in the royal family, namely Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie, and Zara Tindall.
“Although Prince William still believes in a ‘slimmed-down monarchy,’ he is increasingly aware of the hard work of his extended family,” royal correspondent Richard Eden wrote, via Hello!.
Getty Images
Prince William, Princess Eugenie, and Princess Beatrice on June 15, 2013
Getty Images
Kate Middleton, Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall, and Prince William on June 20, 2017
Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said, via Hello!, that “Clearly, William is doing something very right. His informal, approachable way of going about his work is resonating with the public.”
“Even the way he talks is different to previous generations,” Bond continued. “He’s well spoken, of course, but not overly posh. He dresses well, of course, but is quite often wearing jeans and trainers.” She added, “He’ll pose for selfies with the crowds—he’ll even work the camera for them if they get flustered.”
Terry Fincher/Princess Diana Archive/Getty Images
Prince William and Princess Diana in March 1991
Bond called out praise William’s mother, Princess Diana, once gave him and his natural charm, remembering that the late Princess of Wales once said, “William’s alright. The country is very lucky to have William.”
“I think she was bang on,” Bond said.
Read the original article on InStyle