Royals: What Prince William Has Said About Becoming King One Day

Prince William is King Charles III's firstborn son, meaning he is next in the Royal line of succession to the British throne.

In the past years the Prince of Wales has shared his thoughts on becoming King one day.

This is everything he's said so far!

In a 2016 interview with 'BBC', to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday, the then-Duke-of-Cambridge was asked what he thought about being nicknamed "work-shy William" by the press, suggesting that he should be more active as he will become King one day. 

He answered: "[Being King is] not something that’s at the top of my priority list to think about." However, given the fact that both Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip were in their 90s, he made it clear that he would be "the first person to put his hand up" and take over more Royal duties.

In the interview, Prince William stated that he's aware of the fact that his royal responsibilities will become more serious as time passes by. He made it clear he's open and willing to transitioning to a different Royal role, which he will certainly do the day he becomes King.

He said: "I think royal duty is extremely important. I take my responsibilities very seriously but it’s about finding your own way at the right time and if you’re not careful, duty can sort of weigh you down an awful lot at a very early age, and I think you’ve got to develop into the duty role. It’s something I take very seriously but with my family and with my role of air ambulance, for instance, I think there’s a number of things, I’ve got my fingers in many pies at the moment and want to keep an eye on [them]. That will change as life goes on and I’ll take on more."

Later on, in 2017, William spoke with 'GQ' and insisted on the importance of having a plan to modernize the monarchy. He highlighted everything that the late Queen had been doing at the time, but pointed out the importance of having a vision.

The Prince of Wales said: "You learn on the job. There is no rule book. Having that difference in how we do things makes the Royal Family more interesting and more flexible. If we all followed the same line, it would all be quite stifled. Our characters are different and the different opinions are important to have. [Queen Elizabeth II has done] a remarkable job leading the country—her vision, her sense of duty, her loyalty, her steadfastness, it has been unwavering. [But] you are only as good as your last gig and it is really important you look forward, plan, have a vision."

In a 2022 interview with Nicholas Witchell of 'BBC', the Prince of Wales opened up about the sad part of becoming King one day. He said: "I certainly don’t lie awake at night waiting or hoping for it. Because it sadly means my family has moved on, and I don’t want that."

In the same interview, the Prince of Wales revealed what he thinks will be his major challenge once he becomes King. It seems it has to be with revolutionizing the monarchy.

William said: "I think the Royal Family has to modernize and develop as it goes along, and it has to stay relevant. That's the challenge for me, how do I make the royal family relevant in the next 20 years' time?"

According to experts and authors, Prince William is already acting like he is already the King.

For instance, in the 2023 book 'Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchy’s Fight for Survival', Omid Scobie wrote that William "knows his father’s reign is only transitional and is acting accordingly."

In February this year, King Charles III was diagnosed with cancer and Princess Catherine underwent abdominal surgery.

As a result, Prince William started to take over front-line Royal duties, as he is the most senior Royal Family member to represent the monarcht at public, significant events.

It is expected that the Prince of Wales will take on more responsibilities in the next months.