What will the reign of King William V look like? It’s a question many have asked, and now the man himself has provided insight into what we should expect.
Speaking to the royal rota from South Africa, William revealed that he hopes to be a king that leads with empathy, as “I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world.”
William said that it was a position shared by his wife, revealing that it’s what “Catherine is trying to bring as well.”
As an empathetic leader, William said he’s focused on work that helps and impacts peoples’ lives. He explained: “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.”
Part of what this means, William said, is being ‘royal’ “with maybe a smaller ‘r’ in the royal, if you like. That’s maybe a better way of saying it.”
Forgoing the pomp and pageantry to be a monarch who does royalty a new way for a new generation.
He said: “It’s more about impact, philanthropy, collaboration, convening and helping people.”
The comments came after a sit-down interview with the royal rota following his visit to Cape Town, South Africa on behalf of the Earthshot Prize.
The future king spoke of returning to more official visits next year with Catherine—health permitting—and how 2024 has been the most brutal year of his life following the health scares of both King Charles and Catherine.
