'Impatient' Prince William Is Very ‘Demanding’ About a Royal Duty Close To His Heart, Says Close Aide
Prince William took over the ownership of the Duchy of Cornwall following King Charles's ascension to the throne in 2022. Since then, the Prince of Wales has unveiled a series of fresh initiatives for the estate, which reflect his vision for empathetic leadership. According to his royal aide, William Bax, the Prince brings a ‘healthy impatience’ to the role and is refreshingly forthcoming in managing the Duchy’s affairs.
The Duchy of Cornwall is a significant source of income for William, who receives rent from the properties and land within the estate. Discussing his hands-on approach to managing the estate, Bax told the Telegraph, “He’s easy to follow because he’s got great conviction and personality, and he really wears his heart on his sleeve in terms of social interest and his desire to have a positive impact in the world,” He further concedes that William is 'pretty demanding,' before quickly clarifying 'that’s great' as it's a 'pretty ambitious' outlook. Bax also stressed that a part of the Prince’s job is amplifying other people.
The Duchy of Cornwall’s estate director, Ben Murphy, also echoed Bax's claims, comparing William's 'healthy impatience' to that of Charles when he was running the estate. Since taking over as the Duke of Cornwall, William has accompanied Kate Middleton and their three children to ask the Duchy’s residents what would improve their lives. Murphy described William as a leader “laying down the challenge... for us [the residents] to figure out how to address it.” William's plans include a modern maternity unit, housing for key workers like teachers and doctors, and a push for more sustainable tourism.
The Prince of Wales has been forthcoming about modernizing the monarchy and focusing on philanthropy after he takes over the throne. Speaking on his plans for the estate, William said, “I see it as a branch of my philanthropy. There’s so much good we can do in the rural world. I see it [the Duchy] as another arm to the work that I want to do, which is being a positive force for good.”The Prince added, “I think the Duchy has got way more levels and gears they can go through to be able to be a bigger force in the community.” Bax agreed and stressed that William’s leadership will include a focus on people, creating a “really strong safety net for the vulnerable in society,” and “doubling down on the environmental agenda.”
According to the Mirror, William is also the patron of We Are Farming Minds, a Duchy of Cornwall-supported charity set up to help farmers experiencing loneliness and mental health issues. Additionally, the Prince of Wales also contributes to Centrepoint, a charity which helps homeless young people. In 2023, he officially opened Reuben House, a block of 33 studio properties where rents are set at a third of a resident’s income, on behalf of the charity. As of now, the estate is planning to take its tenants on the journey to net zero by 2032.
