His use of the word “smaller R in royal” is an insight into Prince William’s view of his role in public life.
The pomp and ceremony of royalty doesn’t always sit easily with Prince William, neither does some of the leadership he has seen globally.
“It’s more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people. And I’m also going to throw empathy in there as well, because I really care about what I do. It helps impacts people’s lives. And I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world.”
I have spent the past week with Prince William on his visit to South Africa.
It’s the longest period of time he’s spent with the media this year and he’s been more open than perhaps many of us had expected.
He was pretty relaxed and spoke freely about his family and his role as Prince of Wales both on and off the record.
The chat was often light hearted – how he was settling into his wardrobe of sustainable clothing, the perils of having a beard when your daughter doesn’t like it and the ‘papa’ bracelet she made for him when he took his children to see Taylor Swift.
But the impact of the past year was also on show.
Seeing and talking to Prince William up close, it’s clear the toll it has taken with both his wife and his father undergoing cancer treatment.
As he put it, it has been “the hardest year of my life”.
Add to that, the burden of being a senior Royal and a future King which has hung heavily over Prince William.
The formality that comes with the job and the need to live some of your life in the public gaze haven’t sat comfortably at times.
