She continued, ‘Without doubt, the rebirth of the Waleses as the country’s number one couple has moved our monarchy into a new space. These days they appear to be a double act, even when apart.’
Elsewhere, Jennie Bond agreed, with the royal biographer writing in The I, ‘With his easy charm, imposing height and good looks, William is increasingly seen as an asset for the UK. And the Government is making good use of his soft power allure.’
The comments come after Wesley Kerr OBE detailed how much of an influence the late Queen had on the Queen in Tatler’s May 2024 issue. Writing in the cover feature, Kerr explained that the biggest influence for William was Her late Majesty’. He continued, ‘As an Eton schoolboy, William made weekend visits to the big house on the hill, being mentored by Granny rather as she had been tutored in the Second World War by the then vice-provost of Eton, Sir Henry Marten. William said in 2016: ‘In the Queen I have an extraordinary example of somebody who’s done an enormous amount of good and she’s probably the best role model I could have.’ That said, his aim was ‘finding your own path but with very good examples and guidance around you to support you’.’
In recent months, William has even spoken openly of his desire to serve his country and his hope he can modernise the monarchy. ‘It’s hard to describe what that is all about, but I can only describe what I’m trying to do, and that I’m trying to do it differently and I’m trying to do it for my generation,’ William explained to reporters in Cape Town at the end of last year, describing a more understated approach to ruling. ‘And to give you more of 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.’
