Prince William Future-Reign Talk 'Insensitive'

Newsweek

24-06-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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King Charles III "may be just a little bit hurt" by briefings to a major U.K. newspaper that Prince William wants to transform the monarchy, a royal author has told Newsweek.
The Sunday Times reported that, according to sources close to William, he wants "an evolution not a revolution" when his time on the throne arrives and wants to make sure the Monarchy has "even more impact."
Ingrid Seward, author of Charles book My Mother and I, told Newsweek: "His father may be just a little bit hurt by some of these remarks. Understanding but yes, William is right that in order to survive the monarchy has to adapt, as Prince Philip said.
"This is exactly what William is going to do, he's going to adapt and I think he's right to do this. His father hates change, everyone tells me Charles hates change so I don't think he'll be 100 percent happy about what William is saying but I think he'd understand.
King Charles III and Prince William attend a Service for The Order of the Bath at Westminster Abbey, London, on May 16, 2025.
King Charles III and Prince William attend a Service for The Order of the Bath at Westminster Abbey, London, on May 16, 2025.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images
"It probably would have been best unsaid. Maybe these views are a little bit insensitive but its understandable that he should wish to express them."
Prince William on a visit to South Africa with royal environmental award Earthshot Prize in November said: "I'm trying to do it differently and I'm trying to do it for my generation.
"And to give you more of an understanding around it, I'm doing it with maybe a smaller 'r' in the royal, if you like."
Robert Jobson, author of Catherine, the Princess of Wales: The Biography, told Newsweek: "It's nothing really new. A bit odd his people keep talking about his reign. Normally not the thing to do."
"All monarchs can, and generally do, do things their own way within the constitutional perimeters," he added.
King Charles certainly had his own desire to shape the monarchy while he was Prince of Wales, and there was fierce debate after he said in 1994 he wanted to be viewed as "defender of faiths" rather than "defender of the faith," meaning Christianity.
Journalist Jonathan Dimbleby wrote Charles' authorized biography that year and included a passage attributed in the references to a "conversation with C."
"His pursuit of self-discovery through the alternative dogmas of other religions put his own commitment to the Church of England severely to the test," The Prince of Wales: A Biography read.
"Though he would never sever the bonds, he stretched them to the limit, concluding only latterly that 'one should not move too far from one's culture.'
"This venture was a stepping stone along a route which led him eventually to declare in public, and with full knowledge of the implications, that, as sovereign, he would hope to be 'Defender of Faiths' rather than 'Defender of the Faith.'"
Charles' perspective differed sharply from Queen Elizabeth II's who never displayed any complicated feelings about her faith in Christianity.
Needless to say, Charles was next-in-line to the throne for 70 years, yet has only been king for three and in that time receivied treatment for cancer, so has had little time to make his own changes.
Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on Twitter at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.
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