Prince William is the Royal Family’s most beloved and approachable figure in recent years.
Public can clearly see his mother’s love and his deepest feelings.
Approval ratings have skyrocketed with the ever-smiling Duchess Of Cambridge by his side.
In the wake of Harry and Meghan, as well as the Prince Andrew story, he has helped to steady the Royal ship.
What are we supposed to do with last night’s rushed-drafted statement, in which it was almost impossible for you not to hear the angry voice that dictated the words?
Prince William has been the Royal Family’s most loved and recognizable figure for many years. It is clear to the public that Prince William has the touch of his mother and that his heart is pure.He meets the members of the public at Fish Fry, an area that is a popular gathering spot on all islands in the Bahamas.
This gives us an idea of what type of man William will become at the age of 39 and most importantly, how he will act as a King. (Above: in the Bahamas this Week)
He and Kate are certainly unhappiness at the negative criticisms he has received for their public relations mistakes that marred their Caribbean trip.
However, he also gave us an insight into the thoughtful and intelligent man William is at 39. And, most importantly, the type of King he’ll be.
When was the last time – if ever – a senior member of the Royal Family went on record to acknowledge mistakes?
William said exactly that in his statement. We should see from him that Kate and he will not ignore censure, but instead learn from it.
Royal planners won’t forget one photo of the couple smiling and making contact with Jamaican children who were pushing through a wire fence.
It might also be true of the Land Rover salute. Although it was intended to pay tribute to Queen Philip and her visit seven decades ago, many felt that it represented an in-offensive reminder of a simpler age.
It is possible that his tone of mildly wounded hurt may be justified, especially considering those commentators like the BBC’s Royal Correspondent, who appear to have blamed the couple for creating photo opportunities and misreading post-colonial sensibilities during the age of Black Lives Matter.
Royal planners will be haunted by one particular photograph of the couple making brief contact with children from Jamaica pushing through wire fencing.
This could also be applied to the Land Rover salute, which was intended as an homage for the Queen and Prince Philip’s visit seventy years earlier. However, some felt it represented an out-of touch reminder of a less deferential age.
This is unusual, as it’s not often that a statement will be made at the close of a tour or when there were still cheers from people in the Bahamas.
Perhaps William wanted the world to know how he – and Kate – feel, that they are bruised at being blamed for things they do not think they are responsible for.
It is clear that it displays a willingness to criticize, which is rare if not impossible in Royal circles where there has been a stoic motto, “Never complain, Never explain”.
You need to get government approval even though you’re second on the line for the throne.
And the Foreign Office was only too pleased to allow him to go ahead with his three-nation trip.
Was the statement correct?
Particularly since there was a key passage that has left critics and Royal supporters alike wondering why an issue was raised that never got discussed on the couple’s eight-day visit – the future of the Commonwealth.
The kind of setbacks that the Cambridges endured 25 years ago have made it almost twenty-five years since the last Royal tour. It was 1997, when Queen Elizabeth visited India. This was due to Robin Cook, then Labour Foreign Secretary, comments suggesting he supported independent Kashmir and another goal that was more important than the colonial legacy. The Blair government demanded a trip to Amritsar in order to visit the scene of the 1919 massacre.
William suddenly opens up to a difficult issue. He was he casting doubts about Prince Charles’s role, which the Queen requested Commonwealth leaders to support as the next head of the organisation?
The Palace officials assured William that it was not true and that William was talking about his future and wanted to stress that William did not take any things for granted.
It was, however, a surprisingly clumsy act, as his father was not mentioned. But it did reveal an aspect of William’s maturity we seldom see.
The setbacks that the Cambridges endured 25 years ago have made it difficult for Royal tours to return.
It was Queen Elizabeth’s 1997 visit to India. This was due to Robin Cook, then Labour Foreign Secretary, comments suggesting he supported independent Kashmir. Another reason was that the Blair government demanded a trip to Amritsar in order to see the remains of the 1919 massacre.
The Queen received harsh criticism at that time for not giving an appropriate apology.
William did not experience any such problems in the Caribbean. But he learned for the very first time that it was more complicated than just sailing to navigate the remote reaches his grandmother’s territories.
He also demonstrated that when trouble comes along, he’s ready to step up and listen.
While not obsessing about the media coverage he receives – in the way his brother Harry does – William also demonstrates that he is not prepared to simply stay silent.
William displayed a fighting spirit, just as he did after the BBC inquiry into Martin Bashir’s interview with Princess Diana. William couldn’t contain his passion about the way that his mother was tricked.
He was more measured this time, and he also demonstrated once again that he won’t be forced around.