Prince William has shown a whole new side of him following his solo trip to Cape Town just last week.
The future King, 42, has opened up more about his family life this month than ever before and was “much less guarded” while in South Africa for the Earthshot Prize 2024, a royal expert has said.
While overseas, the prince gave interviews to members of the press where he spoke about his wife Princess Kate, saying she has been “amazing” this year following her cancer diagnosis. He also described the last few months as “brutal” and “probably his hardest year” to date.
He also fondly spoke about his three children during the trip, including opening up about a friendship bracelet made for him by his daughter Princess Charlotte, nine.
Speaking on the The Sun’s Royal Show, Royal Correspondent Sarah Hewson said: “We’re seeing William at the most relaxed we’ve seen him all year.
“He was talking about the children, he was talking about Catherine, he seemed to be much more at peace after an extremely difficult year.”
The royal expert believes this new side of the Prince of Wales first came about after the release of a video by Princess Kate in September to mark the end of her chemotherapy, with his recent solo trip further encouraging him to be more open about life behind closed doors.
Sarah added that the dad-of-three was “much more willing to speak than we’ve heard him” before on this trip, especially about his family.
The prince spent four days in Cape Town last week before flying home to the UK for the Remembrance Day weekend events.
Princess Kate did not visit South Africa with the prince and instead opted to stay at home with their three children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
On his final day, the future King said: “I love Cape Town, I’ve had the most amazing week here, I’ve really enjoyed it. I don’t want to go! My children would love to be here, so would Catherine.”
The family are not expected to be seen in public together again until December 6 for Princess Kate’s Together at Christmas Service at Westminster Abbey.
A recording of the carol concert will be shown on ITV and ITVX on Christmas Eve.
