In June 1991, an 8-year-old Prince William was playing with friends on a putting green after lunch at Ludgrove Preparatory School in Wokingham, when one of his friends accidentally knocked him on the left side of his head with a gulf club.
The Brunt resulted in a deep cut and the young Heir to the throne was evacuated via ambulance to the nearby Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading for initial treatment; the hospital where Catherine, his future wife was also born, 8 years earlier.
Assessing that the cut was a skull fracture that needed surgery, Prince William was then evacuated to London’s Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.
The royal family has been informed and so has the press. The Media circus had already set camp in front of the Hospital by the time Diana was photographed rushing inside the hospital. The then-Prince Charles was also photographed arriving sometime after in his Aston Martin.
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After a general anesthetic, the doctors performed a 70-minute operation on the young heir to the throne, which ended with 24 stitches and a permanent scar on the left side of William’s temple.
Charles, who had a private appointment, left the hospital early, while Diana spent the night in a private room with her son. The first face William saw when he woke up was that of his mother. The second face was that of his younger brother Harry, whom Diana had laid next to him. The British press criticized Prince Charles for putting duty before family.
Now 33 years later this January, it was a 41-year-old Prince William whose Wife had to undergo Major abdominal surgery. In an unprecedented move, the Prince not only attended the operation and remained at his wife’s bedside but canceled his royal travel and all immediate engagements to be with her during the post-operative recovery period. The same British press that criticized Charles for putting his duty before his family is now criticizing William for putting his family before his duty.
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The Royal Family can never win with the press because the press’s job is to find something to complain about to sell their papers. This is precisely why Prince William declared that he “doesn’t take criticism personally” because he knows how the press works.
Prioritizing Duty over family was always the way in the Monarchy. The Queen did it and prioritized duty even over her health. His heir, King Charles, also followed the royal rule and put duty before family. The Press in return dubbed the RF dysfunctional and cold.
So when it finally came to the third generation, KC’s heir, William departed from the old rule and his predecessors. For the first time in Royal history, an Heir prioritized Family over duty. This is the New era we are witnessing and that drastic change has been met with an avalanche of abuse both from the inside and outside on William and Catherine. But, as author Louise Hay said, “Resistance is the first step to change.”
Whether the press and critics want it or not, William and Catherine have already rewritten the rules of engagements and already changed the face of the Monarchy from the inside out.
When the Royal family prioritizes duty over family, they are often labeled as dysfunctional and cold. When they prioritize family over duty, they are called “workshy”. However, William and Catherine are different from the traditional Royals. They are not affected by press criticism or public backlash, as they have a clear vision of what they want their Future Monarchy to be, and they are not afraid to make changes happen.
Former BBC royal correspondent Wesley Kerr OBE wrote in the May 2024 issue of Tatler magazine: “William is tall but different, majestic but majestic. At six feet tall, he is imposing and looks good in uniform after an illustrious military career. The Prince is looking for another way to be royal in an old institution that has to evolve with the times. Your task is to develop something modern in an ever-changing world. He has to deal with all kinds of new problems, or old problems in a new guise. This description perfectly sums up the current panorama of royal history.
William’s approach is unique as he understands the inner workings of the Monarchy and the Media very well. He considers Catarina to be at the center of the institution’s dynamics and considers her an equal partner. To mark their 10-year wedding anniversary, a close friend of the couple told the Times, “They are inseparable. William is very close to Kate and protects her. He believes that she is as important to the institution as he is himself. He greatly admires the way she has stepped forward and stood up for herself.
The secret of William’s vision of his monarchy is that he built it around Catherine and her children. In an interview with Alastair Campbell, he said: “I couldn’t do my work without the stability of a family. The stability of the family is very important to me”. Indeed, Prince William has made history, as his famous critic, journalist Daniela Elser, recently noted in an article. Catherine is not content to “give birth to wonderful children who will give her an heir”, as the Sussex couple are often criticized by Daniela in her lengthy articles. Since the age of 19, William has counted on Catherine’s friendship, love and support. In everything he has achieved in his life, from his degree to his military achievements and his shooting award, Catherine has always been by his side. In 2008, he told the press: “I’m not here, but this girl is very important in my life. She represents me. Read what you like.
As Catherine’s health deteriorated, William also suspended his activities. The old rule would have dictated that William should have continued with his duties and royal tours alone. However, William and Catherine have created a new rule that says William is first and foremost a husband and a father, and he will be there for his family in sickness and in health, regardless of the amount of abuse and backlash it generates.
Of all the love languages in existence, love demonstrated through actions and sacrifice will always supersede mere words. A royal aide was quoted in The Times a few days ago, saying, “The family ‘bubble’ he and Catherine have created at their home in Windsor, Adelaide Cottage, is his top priority. After school, there are only five left at home. All he wants is to protect his wife and children. The family just wants to go away for Easter, spend time together, the five of them, close off from the world.” William has already changed the course of history to create a new Monarchy that is very relatable, family-oriented, and stable. So when it comes to protecting his private life, he is uncompromising, as no one gives access to their sanctuary to mere strangers.
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