Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales are at the forefront of modernizing the monarchy. Meanwhile, public opinion about the monarchy paints a darker picture, with people losing faith in it and arguing that it may be time to slim down the Royal Family and reduce its funding.
With a new reign under Charles III, Prince William has stepped into a new role. Last fall, he also surprised many by showing off a beard, which in the past—when Elizabeth II was still alive—was considered a major no-no. Many royal fans online thought the future king looked unhealthy, and media outlets around the world reported concerns.
Still, William stayed quiet and did not comment. Of course, he is entitled to privacy. However, he also could have broken royal protocol and denied the rumors, which would likely have benefited both him and the Royal Family. If he wants to enjoy a strong future as king and help restore faith in the monarchy, it may be time to become more outspoken and show people he is just like anyone else.
The Royal Family has always been known for avoiding interviews and rarely responding to rumors. The fact that they never even made a statement about any of Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan Markle’s accusations says a lot about how they handle controversy and public scrutiny.
Even when Prince William and other family members were asked about Harry in public, they never answered or shared their real feelings. One can imagine that William and his family were deeply upset by Harry’s public criticism.
But this is far from the only time the royals stay silent. The Royal Family is very strict about sitting down with media members and giving interviews. While they absolutely have the right to privacy, if the monarchy is going to survive, it may be time for a change.
That is where Prince William comes in—and the speculation about his health last fall was the perfect opportunity for him to begin that change.
Prince William must “control the narrative”
When Prince William appeared with a beard for the first time, users on social media said the future king looked thin and unwell. Of course, he should not be forced to speak about his health, since it is deeply personal, but it would not hurt him to sit down for an interview and talk more openly about his life.
Transparency is crucial for the Royal Family, and misinformation about them—their relationships, marriages, feuds, and personal lives—is constantly reported. Staying ahead of these rumors and addressing them quickly would be a major win for the institution. It would show that the monarchy can adapt to today’s media landscape and modern life. More importantly, controlling the narrative would stop trolls and unreliable sources from spreading false information.
Yes, the Royal Family has been hurt by Harry and Meghan’s many accusations, but in some ways, they have only themselves to blame for refusing to respond. Prince William would benefit greatly from being more open—for example, simply dismissing rumors that he was unwell would help stop unnecessary speculation. But beyond that, there is an even bigger reason.
In April last year, the National Centre for Social Research released a new poll suggesting that support for the Royal Family had reached a historic low. The organization found that in fall 2023, just over half (54%) of people in Britain believed the Royal Family was “very” or “quite important.” Compare that to 2012, when the number was 76%.
The passing of Queen Elizabeth II clearly played a major role in that decline, and the feud with Harry and Meghan likely added to it. Prince William and Kate Middleton will be central to modernizing the monarchy and making it fit for modern society. One key part of that will be staying connected to the public and being seen as ordinary people—not distant, untouchable figures.
‘Gambling’ with the Royal Family’s future
With just one interview—simply explaining something as small as why he decided to grow a beard—Prince William could make a real difference, and it is difficult to understand why he chooses not to.
Connecting with the public is becoming more important for the Royal Family every day. If people can relate to William and the other royals in everyday life, it will not only build trust, but also remind people that even high-profile figures face normal challenges.
Trust must be earned, and for a family that serves as a symbol of the nation, losing that trust can be dangerous for its future. Is it really worth risking more of it over something as simple as a beard, William?
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