Prince William’s Demanding Approach to Royal Role: A Closer Look
As the heir to the throne, Prince William has inherited a significant role in the Duchy of Cornwall, an estate spanning over 20 counties in England and Wales worth over $1 billion. According to a recent report by People, the Prince of Wales has taken on this role with a "pretty demanding" approach, one that is both ambitious and driven by a desire to make a positive impact on the lives of those living in the region.
The Duchy of Cornwall, established by King Edward III in 1337, now spans 130,000 acres that include land, farms, houses, and other assets. While it provides funds for the heir to the throne, Prince William is also focused on improving life for its residents. In an interview with The Telegraph, which was reported by People, the prince stated, "I see the Duchy as an extension of the work we do with the Royal Foundation,” the charitable organization of William and his wife, Kate Middleton. "I see it as a branch of my philanthropy. There’s so much good we can do in the rural world. I see it [the Duchy] as another arm to the work that I want to do, which is being a positive force for good."
The prince’s leadership style has been described by the duchy’s secretary, Will Bax, as "pretty demanding" — in a "great" and "ambitious" way. Bax told The Telegraph, as reported by People, "He’s easy to follow because he’s got great conviction and personality, and he really wears his heart on his sleeve in terms of social interest and his desire to have a positive impact in the world." Estate director Ben Murphy adds that the heir has a "healthy impatience, as his father did," which "puts the wind in our sails."
Prince William is particularly focused on the mental health of farmers, who often deal with isolation, as well as sustainability. The duchy is also partnering with local organizations to address homelessness, a key focus of his royal work in recent years. According to People, citing The Telegraph, Bax called William "a man on a mission. He’s asking us to change and evolve in a way to deliver positive impact at scale and at pace."
As People reports, citing The Telegraph, Prince William said, "I’m trying to make sure I’m prioritizing stuff that’s going to make people’s lives, living in those areas, better. This is what we’re going to do to make people’s lives in Cornwall better." He added, “That, I feel as Duke of Cornwall, is something I should be doing. It’s about responsibility, it’s about leadership and doing what’s right on the social issues of our time.”
The Duchy of Cornwall published its Integrated Annual Report in July, revealing a distributable surplus of $30.4 million for the 2023-2024 financial year, William’s first full year in his role as the Duke of Cornwall. He is understood to pay income tax on the income he receives from the duchy, after subtracting unspecified household expenses.
In his role as Duke of Cornwall, Prince William has shown a commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those living in the region. As People notes, citing The Telegraph, during trips to the Isles of Scilly off the coast of southwest England, William is known to ask locals what would improve their lives — resulting in a new healthcare facility, housing for teachers and doctors, and a more sustainable tourism agenda. This approach demonstrates the prince’s dedication to using his role to drive positive change.
As reported by People, the prince’s work with the Duchy of Cornwall is an important part of his royal role, and one that he is taking very seriously. With his focus on social issues and sustainability, Prince William is setting an example for future generations of royals. As the heir to the throne, he has a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of those living in the region, and it will be interesting to see how he continues to evolve in this role.
The People report provides valuable insight into Prince William’s approach to his role as Duke of Cornwall, and his commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of those living in the region. By prioritizing social issues and sustainability, the prince is demonstrating a new era of royal leadership, one that is focused on driving positive change and improving the lives of others.
Source: People – Prince William’s demanding approach to royal role revealed. https://people.com/prince-william-pretty-demanding-royal-role-inherited-king-charles-duchy-cornwall-11745222.
