Prince William believes people are ready for a new generation of royals.
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In a visit to South Africa earlier this month, he spoke about how he wanted to use his role as a member of the British Royal Family in a different, more modern way than his predecessors.
The climate-focused trip was capped off with the Earthshot Prize, which aims to find innovations to combat the planet’s most concerning environmental problems.
During the ceremony, William hinted to reporters how things could change once he ascends the throne.
“I can only describe what I’m trying to do, and that’s I’m trying to do it differently and I’m trying to do it for my generation,” he said, according to the BBC.
“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.”
It’s no secret that all the fuss that comes with royalty doesn’t sit well with younger members like William and his brother Prince Harry who along with wife Meghan Markle, stepped down as senior members to get out of the glaring spotlight.
“It’s more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people,” William continued.
“And I’m also going to throw empathy in there as well, because I really care about what I do. It helps impacts people’s lives. And I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world.”
The BBC described his time with the media as “pretty relaxed” and noted how “freely” he spoke about his family and his role as Prince of Wales.
But it was after this past year — what he calls “the hardest year of my life,” what with his wife Catherine and father each undergoing cancer treatment — that has perhaps made William realize what matters going forward.
When asked about their future, William said both he and Kate hope to do more public duties together next year and how they want to bring something different to the organizations they support.
“I sit here right now doing Earthshot and doing all the projects I’m doing, like Homewards (their program that works towards ending homelessness) as well,” he said.
“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.”