I got my new issue of Vogue a few days ago, and when I sat down to read it (cover-to-cover, because that’s how I roll), I was surprised by several articles about Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Olympics. This was American Vogue, not Vogue UK – I didn’t really understand why Anna Wintour is suddenly such an Anglophile. But I guess this year (or more specifically, this summer) is all about the UK since they’ll be hosting the two biggest media events of the year.
So, for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, there are now a bajillion documentaries, TV specials, interviews, articles, etc about the Queen and her reign. One of those documentaries is called Elizabeth: Queen, Wife, Mother (in that order). It will air in the UK, and hopefully here in the US too (because many Americans have affection for Ol’ Liz). The documentary is said to be pretty comprehensive, and they did get a long interview with Prince William. He mostly talks about his grandmother and only a little bit about his wedding:
On the eve of his April 29, 2011 wedding, Prince William didn’t get much shuteye.
“[The crowds] were singing and cheering all night long, so the excitement of that, the nervousness of me and everyone singing — I slept for about half an hour,” the 29-year-old royal tells TV host Alan Titchmarsh in Elizabeth: Queen, Wife, Mother, airing in the U.K. June 1.
Sleepiness was the least of his worries, however. “The hardest thing was trying to walk down the stairs with my spurs on, sideways. I had visions of myself and my brother [Prince Harry] colliding and crashing down the stairs.”
In the months leading up to his big day, “there was very much a subdued moment when I was handed a list with 777 names on it — not one person I knew or Catherine knew,” William recalls. “I went to [Queen Elizabeth] and said, ‘Listen, I’ve got this list, not one person I know — what do I do?’ And she went, ‘Get rid of it. Start from your friends and then we’ll add those we need to in due course. It’s your day.'”
In addition to talking about his stylish wife, 30, William also opens up about the tight bond he has with his grandmother, 86. “We’re definitely a lot closer than we used to be. I think being a small boy it’s very daunting seeing the Queen around and not really quite knowing what to talk about or what to ask her.”
He adds: “I think over the years that’s got a lot better. I’ve grown up — hopefully — a little bit and tried to understand a bit more about her role and my own role.”
Knowing he’s destined to become the King of England one day, William admits: “There’s not much wriggle room left for me to try and find my own path, but I will do. It’s just a matter of learning what’s gone before me.”
“Everyone’s fascinated by the Queen’s life and how she’s done it. And I would just hope that a bit of what she’s done and a bit of what she’s achieved, and a bit of how she’s conducted herself, we all take away in our own lives and try and do it ourselves,” William says. “I would like to take all of her experiences, all of her knowledge and put it in a small box and to be able to constantly refer to it.”
[From Us Weekly]
My mother is royalist and an Anglophile, except she absolutely loathes Prince Charles and Camilla. I only recently got her to admit that, yes, Prince William is growing more and more like his father. Can’t you see it? We want to think that William is like his mother, with her warmth and emotional intelligence, but… there’s something cold about William. To me – maybe that’s just how I’m interpreting it. He still seems so “Woe is me” about becoming King one day – and what does this mean? “There’s not much wriggle room left for me to try and find my own path, but I will do.” Meaning what, exactly? Everything about his reign has already been set in stone because poor William doesn’t get to make his own choices? That if he’d had his way, he would have lived his life very differently? How differently? He’s almost 30 years old and he’s managed to never work as a full-time royal. I’m not denigrating his military career – but even William’s father managed to have a (similar) military career while still being a full-time royal/public servant.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN.
Eh, I kinda of get what he’s saying about wriggle room. Some people live their lives not caring about a thing in the world. They just do what they want without worry. Of course that can be amazing, tragic or both. I imagine it’s tough to know that everything in your life is already determined and there are extremely high expectations that you’ll fulfill them. Everything from his clothing to his career is already planned.
I agree. William has hundreds of years of history piled on his head. Since birth, he’s been told this, and scrutinized at every turn.
Can you imagine being a little kid with everyone telling you, ‘Guess who you have to become?’ I don’t blame him for feeling trapped. It’s kind of the definition of trapped.
Both Andrew & Harry are examples of how happy-go-lucky (to say the least) their elder brothers could be, if not for this heavy duty (no pun intended).
The Queen/King is also the head of the whole friggin’ C of E! Can you imagine in this media age, a young man growing up, always behaving in a manner that will not harm the image of the Church? That’s pressure! It’s like the heir MUST always have a silver stick up his ass.
I know he’ll always be wealthy, but that does not make a person happy inside.
@ahoyahoy- it sounds too much like his great uncle David, who finally put everyone out of their misery by abdicating. I am not saying that abdicating is an easy choice, but a precedent was set, so it can happen.
As for 2nd sons being carefree, you only have to look to the Queens’s own father to see that is not always true. By all accounts Prince Charles is a very true reflection of his grandfather. The only difference is that the Queen Mother was man enough to make George VI into the king he became. I don’t think Kate is man enough, or even woman enough to make Prince William the King he could be.
Prince Harry is not carefree. He has roundly been pilloried in the media since he was a child including speculation about his parentage. He is the one who has grown up infront of us, faults and all, and we can see he has come to accept his role. Prince William is only now being reported on. The diana shine is wearing off, so now he needs to. Show that he is worthy of the role, not just because he was born to it, otherwise, if he can’t or he won’t abdicate, then viva le republic!
Yes but being told from birth should have given him enough time to prepare for his role. This wasn’t just sprung on him. He’s had his whole life to prepare (his Grandmother did not get that luxury).
@ Launicaangelina
i totally agree with you.
Let the royal-bashing begin…
Well … if he truly wanted to find his own path, he could have abdicated.
Funny how Harry seems to find his own path balancing royal work and not visibly irritating his military superiors. He’s fought and continues to fight to serve his country. He does more visible charity work too.
Would love to see how Kate would react if he walked away from royal life to be a full-time military guy. That would be priceless.
I think she’d have a mental breakdown. I don’t think she’d dump William mind you but being a Duchess and being Queen Consort are not the same. She wouldn’t get her photo taken as much and Harry’s wife would have first dibs on the clothes and freebies. The horror!
I fairly certain that in order to abdicate, you already have to be on the throne.
Harry also has the benefit of knowing that he is unlikely to become King. Which gives him far more freedom.
Anne: Not necessarily. William can remove himself from the line of succession any time he wishes. Other members of the RF have done so. For example; Prince Michael of Kent married a Catholic and had to take himself “off the list”.
Technically, though, I think you are correct. The term abdication would be used in the event of someone actually on the throne, and then giving it up.
Um, Anna Wintour is not “Anglophile”, she IS English.
Priceless!
Still…the point is the same. She’s not working on UK vogue.
I think it’s becoming quite clear that William does not want to be king. The wiggle room he’s looking for is so he can avoid royal duties. If given the choice, I have the feeling he would be a full time pilot, although every time he takes one of those frequent holidays, some other RAF pilot has to fill in for him. Willy just wants to live an affluent life without the responsibilities.
One solution, give up his right to the throne and then he can do whatever he wants. Including dump Waity. Never happen, the abdicate thing, that is. Dump Waity, possibly.
Say what you want about Charles and how horribly he treated Diana, but he had done more meaningful things with his life by the age of 30 (The Prince’s Trust, full time Naval career, etc) than Willy every will. Just a hunch.
I agree with you totally, but I don’t think he would EVER do that to Harry.
Nah, then Harry would run for the hills and we’d have Airmiles Andy!
@Bluhare – Quelle Horror at Airmiles Andy, but Beatrice is surprisingly a good candidate. She wants to be more officially royal, not just in a galas/premieres sort of way. she’s been doing charity stuff for a while including being involved in her mother’s charity, CHildren in Crisis.
Infact, let’s skip the lot and re-route the line to be Charles, followed by Anne, followed by Beatrice. huzzah!
Well, I found it’s more fun to read about Harry than Will since the whole “wedding-preparation-marathon” starting 😀
get a job and stop whining, dude. 🙂
He has one, and they’ve told him to make a decision between it and royal life.
I’m like a broken record, but every time I look at those two princes, I think of JFK Jr., our own royalty in a sense, and feel melancholy.
Anyway, William does seem a bit cold. I know they are royals and have to be proper, but why can’t he ever show some affection towards Kate?
I miss John John. And Carolyn. 🙁
Now HIS wife was a fashion icon of her time. I wonder what she’d be wearing now.
NOT hammerpants onesies…
Me too. I’ve collected so many photos of Carolyn and John, both for the memories and because I loved the clothes Carolyn wore. 🙁
I saved a bunch of photos from two websites that closed, so I’m glad to at least have those.
i always think that GOOP started to SWF CBK during her lifetime, she’s continuing to do so to a certain extent especially the hair and the clean severe lines.
He has served his country well, his mother died at the hands of papparazi trying to get photos to feed the gossip rags (cough cough), his life offers no options for him to live his own dreams, and you are unable to be charitable to him… Why?
Well…
1) He sat down for the interview being discussed. It was not a paparazzi moment.
2) He is a big boy now and old enough to realize that he doesn’t get to have it both ways. He can be a public person and take the knocks and responsibilities that come with the huge privileges or he can step aside and be a private person and give up some of those privileges.
3) I fail to see how he has ‘served’ his country. The Queen has, his mother did and went beyond to serve the world … this manchild who would be king has done neither.
because living a life of ludicrous wealth and privilege, and then complaining because you have to perform some public service, is unseemly.
Yes. His parent died when he was young. So did mine, around the same time as his, and around the same age. And I sure as Hell don’t want any sympathy for it now. Sympathy can only last so long before it becomes pity, and that’s something a grown man neither needs nor deserves. Losing a parent at any age is hard, but you know what? It doesn’t give you passes for anything in this life. Hopefully, he agrees.
Never seen William ask for sympathy. he has lead a somewhat normal life, went to college and now works in the RAF and as a parttime royal. he is’nt perfect but he is’nt off in St Tropez living off his inheritance either.
Oh, I’m not saying HE wants it–I’m saying it’s frequently mentioned on posts like this, as above. It shouldn’t enter into the discussion at all, really–he’s had more than enough time to adjust and learn to be a grown person.
His mother died at the hands of a drunk driver and if Diana wasn’t constantly alerting the papparazi of her location, perhaps the drunk would not have been driving too fast.
And how did you know that she’s alerting the media? You mean it’s her fault that she died in that circumstance? Was she the one who gave the driver an alcohol to got drunk???
Wow, Rhea. Put words in people’s mouths much?
It is well established that Diana courted the media, both for good causes and for her own image.
Beyond that, the ‘drunk driver’ Kai mentioned was the man driving the car Diana was in. Yes, Diana did have a hand in creating the pap frenzy that surrounded her and often it worked to her benefit. In the end, however, it proved exceptionally tragic.
@Rhea- to add to what @Mich has said, the paparazzi didn’t intensify until she gave up her royal protection officers. She was paranoid that they were spying on her, and she wanted completely out of the royal life. Royal protection officers never let anyone close enough like hollywood bodyguards do plus more often than not remove pictures taken from the photographer. That’s why you never see pap pics of the royal family or even Kate these days. It happens, but it is rare. As soon as diana got rid of hers, the paps hounded her and generally got into her space in a way they never would have before.
@Mich : Wow, did my comment hit your nerve?
I am merely asking Kai because she/he seems so sure of everything that happened. Naturally, I’m curious of her/his sources.
Yes, we know a lot of famous people courted the media. But how do we know FOR SURE they CONSTANTLY doing it without separating their work with some of their personal life.
Without limit AT ALL which one for public which one for private??? Do YOU know her personally to say that for sure? I don’t. So I would keep my judgement especially for someone who’s not alive anymore.
Kai said : “if Diana wasn’t constantly alerting the papparazi of her location, perhaps the drunk would not have been driving too fast.”—>this is what didn’t sit well with me. Yes, the drunk man is in that car. But is it her fault that he got drunk? Wasn’t it his job to stay sober while driving? Her comments implied that it’s Diana’s fault for making the drunk man drove more faster. I don’t think there’s a 100% guarantee if there’s no paparazzi, the drunk man would drive them safely to their destination. If there is, why do they make it against the law to drive while you’re under influence? Do you see my point now?
@ Rhea
No, you didn’t hit a nerve. You willfully misinterpreted what Kai was saying which I find irritating.
And your clarification of your ‘point’ has only made you sound more ignorant of the sad circumstances that led to Diana’s death.
Rhea,
You need to work on your writing skills and reading comprehension.
Long before and after Diana’s death it was widely reported that Diana often made sure the press was alerted to her activities. Did you not find it at all suspicious that her relationship with Dr. Hasnat Khan was NOT splashed all over the tabloids? Did you not find the timing of the pictures of her lounging on Fayed’s yacht at all suspicious. Many people did.
It is a fact that the driver of the car in which Diana was fatally injured was over the legal limit for alcohol and that the car was travelling at high speed to evade the press when the accident occured. My comments in no way implied that Diana was responsible for his alcohol consumption.
You did a pretty poor job of proving ‘your point.’
@Lak : Thanks for the info.
@Mich : As much as it’s your right to have your opinion, it’s my right also to stated my opinion that Kai was ignorant as well as you by only saying that “if Diana wasn’t constantly alerting the paparazzi of her location, perhaps the drunk would not have been driving too fast”. For the accident happened not just by single factor.
There are many things led to her death. The driver shouldn’t drove when he’s not sober, the paparazzi shouldn’t followed them like that, etc. so it’s not simply ONLY because she’s alerting the media or not. Don’t put the blame only on her.
You could stand on your opinion but I would stand by my opinion also. This is a lesson for every people. That you shouldn’t drive under the influence, that the paparazzi should know their limit, and that the famous people should limit only their work for public to know. I think we both can agree on that, right?
@KAI : As english is not my mother language, please excuse my bad writing skills.
As for my reading comprehension, perhaps next time you should just stop at “His mother died at the hands of a drunk driver”.
By adding–“and if Diana wasn’t constantly alerting the papparazi of her location, perhaps the drunk would not have been driving too fast.”–would implied people with “poor reading comprehension” like me that it’s (ONLY) her fault for constantly alerting the paparazzi—hence the drunk driver perhaps drove too fast— that led this accident happened. 😉
Rhea – I think I see where we differ. You seem to have a beautiful sense of how the world *should* work and I am far too old to expect life to conform to ideals.
@Mich : I’m well aware that what happens in the reality is not always what it should be. 🙁 I guess deep inside when I’m looking at my children, I couldn’t stop myself hoping that one day the world would at least be a better place.
I remember reading in the reports about the accident that Diana was not wearing her safety belt.
These are the charities he is supporting now:
BeatBullying
Centrepoint
Child Bereavement Charity
Diana Awards
Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund
Help for Heroes
Henry van Straubenzee Memorial Fund
National AIDS Trust
Royal Marsden Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Royal Wedding Charity Fund
Sentebale
Skill Force
Teenage Cancer Trust
The Countryside Foundation For Education
The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry
Tusk Trust
These are areas served by the charities:
Abuse, AIDS, Animals, At-Risk/Disadvantaged Youths, Cancer, Children, Conservation, Creative Arts, Education, Environment, Family/Parent Support, Grief Support, Health, Homelessness, Human Rights, Miscellaneous, Philanthropy, Physical Challenges, Poverty, Refugees, Sports, Unemployment/Career Support, Veteran/Service Member Support, Weapons Reduction
By supporting, he attends their activities, and raises funds for them. Plus he’s working as a pilot. The implication by some that he’s not man enough or is shirking his duty is absurd.
@raven-there is a difference between patronage and actual involvement.
He is a patron of all those charities but only 1 (the one he shares with Prince harry and kate) is remotely personal and only exsists as a kind of feeder for the others charities. Sentabale is Prince Harry’s personal charity which he is very involved in.
In the last year, he only showed up to meet the charity workers for 2 (marsden hospital and centrepoint) the rest, he only went to the galas/premieres. Btw: as example of his commitment, he was caught on camera saying what a ‘bore it was’ as he exited the trusk tusk premiere.
He visibly irritates his military bosses who have finally given him an ultimatum. The navy have said it would be a nuisance to have him so really he needs to stop hiding, suck it up and do his duty!!!
All this talk about him not having choices is simply ridiculous. Prince Charles is the next heir, after that Prince Harry can take over and if he doesn’t want it, Prince Andrew + his daughters and if not Prince Edwards + his kids and if not Princess Anne + her kids etc and so forth.
LAK, is the new primogeniture law retroactive? It says the first child born to WC (love that monogram)will be heir. So would Princess Anne take on the #4 spot after William and Harry?
Probably not but quite fun to speculate.
@bluhare – it isn’t and only applies to next generation. Current line would stand, but if any girls are born ahead of any boys, then they take their place ahead of the boys.
If it was retroactive, Anne and her heirs would indeed take after William and harry (plus any kids they may have)
@Raven – Prince Harry is also a patron for all those Charities you have listed and VISIBLY meets the charity workers for them, not just the galas/premieres.
It is very telling when an important American foundation hands Harry rather than William an award for his charity work. Why would they do that when William would have been a better ‘get’ for them? Harry made a point of including his brother in the award, but the givers still insisted that it was for PH alone.
And on the same night he is to receive his award, William is at a gala for secret dinners club for top media types…….
There’s a lot of stories that William, in his younger days, was much more of a pain in the ass than even his brother…he just hid his issues better. I do believe he is a lot like his mother, in private. If you believe all the stories, he was basically her confidant.
Talie–I think he’s painfully shy, like his mother was, and fights it hard (to do his duty) like his mother did.
In her 30’s, Di got much better, and I think Will will too.
Those of us old enough to remember Andrew marrying Sarah Ferguson might remember William in his sailor suit misbehaving the entire ceremony. He was adorable.
yes, he seems exactly like his father. always whining and feeling sorry for himself. even the way he could not make up his mind about choosing a wife is just like charles.
william and kate are not off to a good start. over the last year, they have managed to turn off alot of the public with their spoiled brat behaviour.
Spoiled brat?? Link please.
http://www.enclave24.com/2012/04/02/kate-middleton-william-vacation-holiday-ski/
There’s good insights there. I wish more Americans would read it because it’s clear they have no idea about William and Waity pre-engagement interview.
Great link! Thx!
I read that link before- after rereading it I think the spoil part is obvious!
PW 2012 holidays:
>Mustique
>Spain hunting w/ Harry
>another holiday before PW goes to Falklands (special time w/ Waity)
>After 6 weeks in Falklands PW decides to spend an extra week alone sight seeing at Falklands (because he is so in love with his bride he cannot wait to be alone with her).
>Sking after Falklands to be reacquainted with wifey (and her family).
>Does his the holiday break in Scotland count?
What do you mean had trouble making up his mind about getting married? Are you saying that everyone has to be married by a certain age? Its ridiculous to get married just because other people think you should especially, if you are not ready for marriage. I would rather people take their time to marry rather than give into the expectations of others. As for Charles, he chose to marry Diana, he may not have loved her but that is a different thing altogether. Nobody forced Diana to marry him, she could have said no. Everybody wants to blame Charles, but women need to exercise good judgement when it comes to their personal lives and the men they choose to enter into relationships with. We are the ones with the most to lose, so the burden is on us to be smarter and wiser in relationships.
@LL2 – You are absolutely right, but so is @Jackie.
Kate and William dated for 8-9 years, during which time they broke up numerous times, always instigated by him, and always for the same reason ie he felt suffocated by her plus his cheating ways.
Why he returned to her especially after the infamous 2007 break up is a mystery but it was felt in London that his return sealed his fate ie he had to marry her, nothing else.
Penny Junor, that well known Charles Apologist, has said that he was cheating to’test’ her. And apparently he told HM and DoE that he did not love Kate enough to marry her when he broke up with her in 2007.
So some pressure was applied, but by who? to get him down the aisle.
Oh, I don’t know. William is really close to his father the douchebag, so I’m sure some of that wears off, but William’s also walking a pretty fine line as the second in line to the throne. His handlers are part of the Prince of Wales’s staff. They are at least as concerned about protecting Charles’s image and coddling his emotional problems as they are about anything to do with William.
Charles has spent his entire adult life whining about not having a real job (subtext: why doesn’t Mummy just DIE?) — now here comes his son and his son’s young wife, they’re going to have babies soon, and that will be another “blow” for the poor put-upon Prince of Wales. Remember how self-pitying he was because everyone wanted to shake Diana’s hand? How do you think dear old Dad feels about being overshadowed from both ends?
I know people like to say, “oh, Charles has his popularity back” but polls show that something like 45 percent of people want Charles to be king next, and 35% want it to be William. That ten percent gap may seem huge to us but consider Whiny Charles and ask yourself: is he all “oh, I’m on top”? I doubt it.
Sometime I think William’s issues are less about being lazy and more about trying to take care of Dad. This guy has been a caretaker for the adults in his life since he was what? Ten years old? That really does suck.
Then renounce your right to the throne. Gosh!! I can’t with whiny cry babies. Man up you Willy!
I don’t get Kaiser’s take on his comments. I found him very reflective, thoughtful, and realistic in the interview. I don’t find him cold at all. Look at the thoughtful way he eased Kate into her role, never wanting what happened to his mom to happen to Kate. He is very protective of her. And that he cared more about friends at his wedding than a truckload of dignitaries shows this wedding was meaninful to him.
I think he is a wonderful mix of both parents, which is a good thing.
I agree but in this business being real and honest allows people to read their own prejudices into your words. He should learn to give boring answers.
most children are a product of their parents and in William’s case his parents where imperfect human beings who he loves dearly. Neither Diana NOR Charles would be the parent of the year.
I guess he could just lie and say he does not have his own hopes and dreams and wants to be King but there is nothing interesting in that. He was asked a question and he answered HONESTLY. This is a boy who watched his mother hounded and then die partially at the fault of the paparazzi.
@ maemay
This is not a ‘boy’. This is a man. Beyond that, he is the future King of England – not too long ago, the mightiest realm on Earth.
By his age, his grandmother had – despite many hardships – long since proven herself to be worthy of the title Queen. Whatever hardship she faced, she accepted her role as steward and handled it with grace and dignity and determination.
The Queen believes in England above herself. Diana, for all her flaws, believed in a more just world. William? Meh. He feels sorry for himself.
I felt horrible for William the Child but William the Man needs to step up or step aside.
I understand i mean that as a boy he watched his mother hounded. As for his duty he said in the interview that he learns from her…yes of course he has had it easier than the past….that happens, what parent wants his child to have it hard…you want each generation to have it better. The Queen herself as expressed reservations about her role…it is HUMAN to question and have doubts does’nt make him this evil person. He expressed his doubts and mentioned how much he learned from his grandmother…nothing bad or evil about that.
Please. Elizabeth had the same ‘growing pains’ about the pressure of her role, before her father died. It’s well documented now, but the ‘official’ versions that have permeated coverage of history is that she was always perfect. The scandal of her Uncle’s abdication, and the fact she is female, made the stories of classy, steely Lilibet a necessity.
The fact that she rebelled and married for love is just one example of how she worked her own ‘wriggle room.’ It was a very big deal that she was so headstrong, at the time. The British Monarchy could not survive another scandal if Philip screwed her over. Thankfully, her family was wrong about Philip, but it was considered at the time that she was shirking a duty and risking the whole family.
The advantages Elizabeth DID have over Charles & William?
She was not heir from birth.
She was still quite young when she became Queen.
As she was growing up, upper-class little girls were trained that they would be wives only. Independent-minded Elizabeth GOT TO become Queen. It wasn’t a burden, it was liberating and powerful for a woman of her generation and intelligence. I think her story is completely different than her son’s & grandson’s, and not a fair comparison is all.
@ahoyhoy, that is what I recall also. When Edward abdicated Elizabeth’s whole family was upset about it. George was often racked with insecurity and felt that he was unable to live up to his duties. Why is it a crime to be HONEST about fears and shortcomings.
If only more people could think like that. William is lucky in that he has his childhood to fall back on. Because of that no one has, and probably won’t ever, call him out for his spoilt behavior. It will always be glossed over because his mother died at young age, his parents were crap at marriage and his mother used him as her therapist. At some point you can’t use your childhood as an excuse anymore.
He should learn from Diana and the Queen who eventually embraced their paths. And they were much, much younger than him when they were put into these situaitions. It’s like the arguments for Waity, by the time your 30 years old you should know. You’re not child anymore.
If he doesn’t want to be King, then be a man and say it. The Firm will continue on with Harry as the heir. Now, his wife & her family will probably pass out from shock, but he’d be happy. Do it, Wills!
Why would Harry want to be king when he has more freedom. harry himself has already talked about how hard it is to find a girlfriend…why would he want to be king and have it be that much harder?
maemay, in some ways I hope both boys say no, if only for the fact it would have a huge influence on the monarchy and perhaps how it should be modernised in this day and age.
I’m not a fan of the royals, but I am from a Commonwealth country and Wills comes across very well. First, American readers should remember that being British AND the royal heir (eye roll) he is always very careful about what he says, which is just being smart NOT cold. Secondly, I’ve never observed him shirking his duties. He is doing exactly what all the royal males have been expected to do: devote themselves full-time to military training and service, then in their 30s and older commit themselves more and more to royal duties. He is doing exactly what is expected of him. His father, Charles, and uncles Andrew and Edward all did the same.
What? The guy can’t simply state that his life isn’t 100% his own? He’s hardly whining about it. I think he’s got the ‘duty’ gene. I don’t think that makes him cold or less like his mother. He’s a working royal that’s all.
Don’t always see the point of them but can’t imagine being without them. Would England be less appealing?
And he couldn’t give up his spot as heir, Harry would KILL him.
I took his comments to mean that QEII will be a tough act to follow, and he’s not entirely confident that he can do the kind of job she’s done, keeping an outdated tradition alive and somewhat relevant.
His mother managed to make the position relevant to the modern age. She was so deeply flawed but I and millions of others still managed to learn from and be inspired by her. She was the Jolie Royal (read with a French accent;-).
Yes, that’s true. That makes two very strong-willed women whose shoes he’s supposed to fill, and even someone who’s been raised to do it might find it intimidating.
@Claire – we can only hope that Kate will be the strong woman in his life to help him, just like the Queen mother did for his grandfather….who wasn’t the strongest character, but who manned up with the support of his wife.
Goodness me…you can’t just walk away from being the future king guys! It’s not a sitcom! He clearly accepts this repsonsibility but has regrets about his and his wife’s and future children’s destiny (even if she at least opted in). He certainly DOES work – he is an air resuce helicopter pilot in Wales, where the weather is bad, the sea rought and, presumably, the work dangerous. He would love to do this work for longer, but I’m amazed that he has been allowed to continue this far.
This is also a guy who jumped out of his car and helped someone change a car tyre.
You know, you look at some ridiculously over-privileged kid like Puff Daddy/P.Diddy’s son, and then I could understand the criticism. The pure silliness of that kind of wealth and spending.
I love Celebitchy, and clearly when we comment, we are imagining people we don’t know…but at least we could stick to verifiable facts.
So folks, WILLIAM HAS A JOB. Check it out.
Lulu: He has a part time job. That’s why the RAF has given him an ultimatum. Either be a pilot or not. And please, stop comparing him to Puff Daddy or whoever. Damning with faint praise.
Oh do shut up William. JUST STEP DOWN ALREADY. At least we wouldn’t have to put up with his insufferable wife anymore.
Yes it must be hard having to walk down the aisle to a woman who was picked for you a) because she was the only one to want the job, b) you strung her along for 9 years so you had to mary her (or look like a right twat for “stealing her youth” and c) she’s the perfect doormat.
So yes that is the only time you can moan about your life (and the decisions it’s made for you).
However you cannot take EVERYTHING good about the job and then moan when, gasp! actual work is involved. It’s not all parties and vacations, although William has never had to really work so I guess in his case it has been.
He and Waity really are two peas in a pod. Both workshy, both want the good and none of the work that comes with it.
And poor ole Liz I wonder if she’s realized what a monster she has created. I get that she wanted to make him happy especially after he lost his mother, a mother Lizzie very publicly loathed but now look at him. It must kill her to love her job and know the responsibility that comes with it, hell she has embraced it and never let out a word against it, meanwhile William is always rnning about crying about being King. She must know that with Charles and William there’s no way a monarchy can last. Must be hard on her knowing she the last of her kind and her legacy will not live on.
I agree. Dude, cry me a river. People in the world are living on a dollar a day and would give their right arms for just a teeny, tiny fraction of your wealth. If it’s really so hard being you, renounce your title and shaddup.
This is hardly moaning about his life. If anything it comes across as nervousness about how the royal family will do after the Queen is gone.
I like both William and Harry. I also find Prince Charles endearing. People might hate him because he and Diana didn’t have a happy marriage but that’s just life. They both cheated on each other. Personally, I think he’s quite funny in his interviews and he does do a lot of work through the princes trust as well as stuff regarding agriculture.
Thanks for the Prince Charles love. I really don’t get the hate. I guess they are mad at him for ruining their fantasy of a fairy tale royal couple and finding true love with Camilla. Yes, he has issues, but so did Diana and just about everybody else in the world. Nobody is perfect, but he clearly loves his kids and they love him.
I agree. Yes, he was a real bastard for the way he treated Diana. But he has done a lot of good, too.
shaboo, I agree that Price Charles has his endearing traits. I thought he was a major pr*ck back in the day for the cold, callous way he treated Diana, but I softened towards him a lot when I read about how hard he took her death. He tried to do right by her when she passed and even risked the wrath of Mommy in doing so… he’s an odd joe but a decent enough joe as far as I can tell. I also think it’s very telling of his character that he shares a warm and close bond with his sons.
I don’t recognise this Prince William many of you are discussing. I find him to be a well rounded man who takes his role seriously. I also think he does have his mother’s warmth, you only have to see how natural he is with children.
I’m sure their mother would be really proud of both Princes.
As far as him abdicating, I can imagine the comments on here if he did…lol.
Barring the crisis it would create, i think we would be ok with that decision, as i am sure many were after the last abdication crisis.
More than protective William often seems more concerned of what she may say. The hand on the back, rather than a sweet gesture, looks like a puppeteer who runs his puppet. The look is often annoyed and distant, maybe he is bored and would prefer rather visit the dentist, but he certainly does not seem to be involved.
I often wonder what would happen if Harry is the first child instead of Will…. curious with the way he would handle the responsibility that comes with it. Would he be better, the same, or worse??
If I remember correctly, Diana herself said she thought Harry had the temperament for it.
you do remember correctly. Diana’s nickname for Harry was GKH ie good king harry. William she said would be the reluctant king.
@LAK if anything that would bode well in Williams’s favor. George VI was a reluctant king, and his memory is well respected.
Anna isn’t ‘suddenly an anglophile’ – she’s actually British!!
I don’t think Price William is cold – in his younger days he came across as quite warm and down to earth. But I would imagine now he’s under enormous pressure and not permitted many opportunities to relax and lead any kind of normal life, unlike his little bro.
If you knew nothing about him and were reading this interview in isolation, then it would seem that we were being unfair, and that PW was under pressure etc.
The fact is he has been coddled, cossetted and protected because he is the heir unlike his brother. That’s not to say PH wasn’t coddled and cossetted, but he was never protected.
All PH’s mistakes were allowed to be reported on to extent that people think that’s who he is. That’s why Jamaica came as a surprise to people because H was so unlike his perceived media image, and was having fun to boot.
W, on the other hand has differred his duties since he was 25. That was the age that had initially been set for his becoming a full time royal. He uses different excuses every time which sound plausible but 5 years later,are exactly that. Excuses. I think his choice of wife helped clarify that for people because her laziness is a reflection of his. He has also said in various interviews that he is not ready to become a full time royal and wants to remain in the military as long as possible.
Unfortunately for him, his bosses at RAF have given him an ultimatum which reflects poorly on his dedication to that job. The navy have said they don’t want him. Which means he has to step up to royal duties afterall.
And not just the galas and premieres.
It is scary to think that he may have been shirking heir training based on his dedication to all his jobs. If his 86yr old grannie and 65yr old dad were to die suddenly, he would be the most unprepared King ever.
It is unprecedented that an heir is being forced to take up royal duties.
Boy you REALLY want him to start attending tea parties.
So LAK I take it you’re not pro Prince? 😉
@maemay – if only Royal duties were about tea parties!!
LAK: Yes. Exactly. Let’s start a movement to make Harry King, shall we?
who is RAVEN
sounds like an Royal Insight poster Lucy or Wannable who love to ask for links on everything
IDIOTS
I didn’t think Prince William was complaining, I mean, it was an interview so he should speak on how he feels without having a Royal script in front of him. Honestly, I like the Royal family much more now that the princes have grown up. They seem more open and less cold than before.
He used to be so freaking cute – what happened to him? I don’t mean the hair loss (I love bald men), although it was quite nice when he was in university. He’s so young, and he looks like he’s aged.
I don’t think he seems cold at all. Imagine interviewers, photographers, general public, famous people, everyone prying, wanting a piece of you, thinking they know all there is to know about you and always having to look happy for the cameras. I don’t know how they don’t just lose control more often, I think he’s doing pretty well and he seems like a decent person. What he’s saying isn’t “woe is me”, it’s the truth.
“There’s not much wriggle room left for me to try and find my own path, but I will do.”
My interpretation:”Everyone has decided my future for me. I have no choice in the matter. But,I hope to have enough time to live my own life.” Uncertainty.
Would Diana have wanted this for him?
I hope he chooses a few years in the RAF before settling into “royal duties.” Kate can and SHOULD take on the duties. I thought that’s how it was going to work out, otherwise stay home, have heirs.