According to the Prince of Wales, his three young children prioritise their education over their public responsibilities.
After wrapping up his tour in support of the Earthshot Prize Awards in South Africa, Prince William was asked in an interview with UK print media what he was looking forward to in 2025 following a “brutal year” during which his father and wife were diagnosed with cancer. He was also asked if Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, would be attending more public events
In recent years, the Wales children have been to major royal events, such as the coronation of the King, Trooping the Colour, and athletic competitions like Wimbledon and the Euros.
However, the Prince emphasised that, for the time being, his children’s education came before their royal responsibilities.
“Family-wise, you’ll have to wait a little bit longer because obviously they’re at school and I think that takes priority over everything else,” William said. “But I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up.”
The future King, who has already brought the Earthshot Prize to four different nations, also talked about altering the structure of the monarchy and defining his own role.
“It’s hard to describe what that is all about, but I can only describe what I’m trying to do, and that I’m trying to do it differently and I’m trying to do it for my generation,” William said. “And to give you more an understanding around it, I’m doing it with maybe a smaller ‘r’ in the royal, if you like, that’s maybe a better way of saying it.”
William’s focus is on how he and his wife, the Princess of Wales, can make a difference through their various philanthropic initiatives under their Royal Foundation, while Kensington Palace highlighted his role as an emerging global statesman prior to his visit to South Africa, where he met with President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“It’s more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people,” the Prince continued. “And I’m also going to throw empathy in there as well, because I really care about what I do. It helps impact people’s lives. And I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world.”
“So that’s what I’m trying to bring, that’s what Catherine is trying to bring as well. And I sit here right now doing Earthshot and doing all the projects I’m doing, like Homewards as well. And who knows what’s going to come next, but it all centres around those values of trying to help deliver change and make those lives better.”