William: It's my duty to reign

The Sunday Times (U.K.) ^ | 06/22/03 | Nicholas Hellen

[Pokey78]

PRINCE WILLIAM marked his 21st birthday yesterday with a declaration that he has come to terms with his destiny to be king.

His statement makes it clear he will accede to the throne after his father, the Prince of Wales, and that he has overcome his anxiety about living his life under public scrutiny.

"It's not a question of wanting to be, it's something I was born into and it's my duty," he said in an interview released on the eve of his coming-of-age party at Windsor Castle last night.

"Those stories about me not wanting to be king are all wrong. Sometimes I do get anxious about it but I don't really worry about it a lot. I think about it a lot but they are my own personal thoughts."

The prince also spoke of his desire to make the monarchy "relevant" to people's lives and talked of his admiration for the Queen. He went on to quash reports that he has a serious girlfriend.

The influence of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, shines through in his definition of kingship.

"It's all about helping people and dedication and loyalty which I hope I have — I know I have," he said.

But the clear impression of the interview, and new photographs released with it, is that, as he matures, the Windsor in him is becoming stronger.

The birthday portraits taken by Mario Testino, the fashion photographer, appear to show a slight fading of the tousled fresh-faced looks of his teenage years that he inherited from his mother.

William said it would be "dangerous" to predict future changes in the monarchy. "Modernisation is quite a strong word to use with the monarchy because it's something that's been around for many hundreds of years," he said. "But it's important that people feel the monarchy can keep up with them and is relevant to their lives."

The enthusiastic scenes that greeted William last week at his public engagements in Wales confirmed his status as the lone superstar of the royal family.

But in the interview the prince emphasised his position as a member of the wider family "firm", and said he would not undertake solo engagements until he leaves university in the summer of 2005.

"There is a great sense of loyalty and dedication among the family and it rubs off on me," he said.

After an earlier appeal to people to give his "amazing" father "a break", he was equally effusive about the Queen. "She's a huge role model for me — she's incredible," he said.

"My grandmother has achieved so much in her lifetime and she's just so experienced. She's been put in some really difficult positions and yet she handles it very well. What she's done for this country is amazing."

•  The second most senior bishop in the Church of England is to call today for the coronation service of the Prince of Wales to be a "multicultural" event designed to reflect the diversity of modern Britain. David Hope, archbishop of York, will call for the oath taken by the Queen and past monarchs to uphold the "Protestant, reformed religion" to be dropped.

[katiebelle]

He seems to be a nice young man who has had to deal with many many issues. He also seems to have a real normal head on his shoulders for a young man who has been raised in a circus. We all have to deal with family issues. His just happen to be more public than most of ours. Let's give him a break and a clean slate and see what he does for humanity.

[freedumb2003]

>>Let's give him a break and a clean slate and see what he does for humanity.<<

Excuse me? Humanity? The kid is lucky enough to get his mom's ears and his dad's nose (instead of the other way around) and gets paid to perform as the Grand Marshall of the Rose Parade 365 days a year and he might contribute to Humanity?

His contribution would be not to have any kids.

[cajungirl]

Well, I do hate to be a contrarian here but I confess with sort of liking the dolts. I remember watching the Queen Mum being crowned on black and white grainy tv at like 4 in the morning. I also like Elizabeth, something about that duty thing and her always clutching her purse makes me like her. Diana was a flake. Wills looks a bit dumb but he is a hunk unlike that fruity weirdo of a dad he has. The one I am truly fond of is Harry, he just looks so bad. And good ole Margaret, in her day she was a hell raiser. Did anyone see the SNL skit on the royal family going broke and old Liz pitching in to make things work,,it was hysterical.

[ffusco]

I also agree that tradition is important, and enjoyed the changing role of the Royals in The Madness of King George. As good will ambassadors, their weath is certain, their powers, other than their own bully pulpits, are pretty honorary I would think. But either way, people around the world have a fondness for The Queen, and It does present a dignified image of the best of British culture.

[technochick99]

Wasn't Washington offered the chance to be king and he turned the idea down? Or so I remember from 4 th grade history :)

[Willie Green]

The monarch now exists as just a farce. Nothing more.
Who takes these folks seriously?

The monarchy is vital to Britain's tourist industry, much like Disney World.
I imagine there may come a day when the royal family is replaced by animatronic robots or holograms, but then they'd have to layoff 3/4 of the British news media.

[Fraulein]

It's easy to be a preachy humanitarian with other people's money.

[freedumb2003]

>>It's easy to be a preachy humanitarian with other people's money.<<

Ain't it the truth!

[Willie Green]

Wasn't Washington offered the chance to be king and he turned the idea down?

Hamilton was so desperate to establish an American monarchy, he even extended an offer to Prince Heinrich of Prussia.

[LibWhacker]

The greatest King of England will be the one to disband the monarchy and get it off the public dole. Here's 'yer chance, William!

[BulletBobCo]

Has anyone ever seen Alfred E. and Prince Chawles in the same room?

YEAH BABY!!

[lilylangtree]

Since daddy Chuckie is such a dud and lowlife along with the ugly Camilla, hopefully the Queen would bypass him and let Wills take the throne if the monarchy still exists.

[MattAMiller]

It must be nice. I'd be glad to take the gig if his duty is too much for him. I'd grow a big long beard and wear ermine all the time.

[kms61]

Would someone please 'splain why we should care about all this? I'll admit his mom was kinda hot. Beyond that the British Royals are totally irrelevant to me.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

One thing it brings to mind, you don't have to be a bright bulb to be a prince. Lord knows his dad already proved that point!

Your opinion is based on what?

[xm177e2]

What are you implying? The circumstances surrounding her death are cause for some debate.

I wasn't really remarking so much on her death as on her life. Being a royal wasn't all that wonderful, at least for her.

[ffusco]

OK.

[blackbart.223]

"Would someone please 'splain why we should care about all this?"

I would try. But for the life of me, I don't understand it either.

[tdscpa]

"after thinking about it, I have decided 'It's good to be king'."

[tellw]

The second most senior bishop in the Church of England is to call today for the coronation service of the Prince of Wales to be a "multicultural" event designed to reflect the diversity of modern Britain. David Hope, archbishop of York, will call for the oath taken by the Queen and past monarchs to uphold the "Protestant, reformed religion" to be dropped.

Thus making Charles a defender of Shiite, Islamic religion as well.