Prince William laughs off awkward question during Duchy of Cornwall meet and greet as ‘demanding and ambitious' royal reveals plans to bring about ‘real change'
Prince William laughed off awkward questions during a meet and greet in his Duchy of Cornwall estate on Friday.
The Prince of Wales, 42, was undertaking his monthly 'Duchy day' where he visits the farms and offices on his vast estate, shaking hands and checking in on staff, tenants, farmers and local residents.
During his rounds, one tenant asked whether the royal could not only reduce the rents but make the properties on the Duchy of Cornwall's land completely rent-free.
William laughed off the query and joked that it wasn't the first time he'd heard that.
The uncomfortable moment came after one of the prince's staff described the heir to the throne as 'demanding' when asked about his approach to his new role.
But locals and staff alike agreed the prince was going everything he could to modernise the Duchy and bring real change to locals.
During a walkabout, The Telegraph revealed that retiree Gerald Addicott asked Prince William whether he could make his home rent-free.
The Duke of Cornwall said he wasn't the first person to ask that and then revealed that he had originally looked in to whether it would be possible but was met with 'a lot of sweaty faces' from people who balance his books as they did the calculations.
The revelation came after the Duchy of Cornwall's Senior Development Manager Will Bax described the prince as 'pretty demanding' before quickly clarifying that he is in fact 'pretty ambitious' and likes to make change and support new ideas.
Ben Murphy, the Duchy's estate director joined in, adding the William is impatient just like his father King Charles because he really cares and that he is constantly trying to increase the pace on projects around the estate.
William's tour of his estate comes after he and Catherine revealed they were 'deeply saddened' after a driver ploughed into a crowd of people during Liverpool's Premier League title parade.
A total of 79 people including children were injured after the Ford Galaxy rammed into the crowd on Water Street, in the Liverpool city centre, at around 6pm on Bank Holiday Monday.
Merseyside Police insisted there was a 'robust' traffic plan in place and that the car followed an ambulance after a roadblock was temporarily lifted so paramedics could help a man who suffered a suspected heart attack.
Former Royal Marine, from West Derby, Paul Doyle, 53, appeared before Liverpool Magistrates Court on Friday morning charged with seven offences, including dangerous driving and grievous bodily harm (GBH).
The court heard the charges relate to six alleged victims, including four adults - two men and two women - and two children aged 17 and 11. The maximum sentence he could face is life imprisonment. He did not indicate a plea.
Prince William and Catherine released a statement on Tuesday afternoon at the same time as King Charles and Queen Camilla, while Princess Anne paid a surprise visit to first responders at a major hospital in Liverpool.
The Prince and Princess of Wales said: 'We are deeply saddened by the scenes in Liverpool yesterday. What should have been a joyful celebration ended with tragedy.
'Our thoughts are with those who were injured and to the first responders and emergency services on the ground.'
King Charles, who is in Ottawa with Queen Camilla to mark the opening session of Canada's parliament, also said they were 'deeply shocked and saddened'.
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