Prince William Torn Between ‘Public Position’, ‘Private Emotion’ After Princess Diana’s Death

Prince William is second in line to the throne, and he will soon take over the throne. But, even at a young age, the Duke of Cambridge has already expressed his dislike for his future role.

In his autobiography “A Journey,” former Prime Minister Tony Blair shared details from his conversation with the Duke of Cambridge. He said that it became evident to him that the dad of three was conflicted between his public position and private emotion especially after Princess Diana’s death.

“He knew now, if he didn’t before, what being a prince and a king meant,” Blair said. “For all the sense of duty, the prison walls of hereditary tradition must have seemed too high a price to pay,” he added.

When the Princess of Wales was still alive, she also told journalist Jeremy Paxman that she had a conversation with Prince William about his role as King. Princess Diana said that her eldest son didn’t want to inherit the throne and his younger brother, Prince Harry, chimed in that he would gladly have it.

However, just two years ago, the Duke of Sussex told Newsweek that no one really wants to be King. Prince Harry must have said what he said decades ago as a joke to his older brother.

“We are involved in modernizing the British monarchy,” Prince Harry said. “We are not doing this for ourselves but for the greater good of the people. Is there anyone of the royal family who wants to be king or queen? I don’t think so, but we will carry out our duties at the right time,” he added.

Meanwhile, Prince William’s future is already set. After Prince Charles’ reign is over, he will become the next King of England and his wife, Kate Middleton, will become Queen. At a young age, the Duke of Cambridge was already trained for the role.

Royal historian Robert Lacey told People that Queen Elizabeth asked a teenage Prince William to open state boxes with her as part of his training. “There has always been a special closeness between William and the queen, and she has taken a particular interest in him,” he said.