Prince William Breaks Ranks With Candid Admission About Women's Place in the Armed Forces
Prince William aims to create an inclusive, safe, and professional environment in the armed forces.
Prince William is set to add another feather to his royal hat as he takes on the role of guest editor for Country Life magazine’s November 11 issue. Following in the footsteps of King Charles, who has guest-edited the publication twice, as well as Princess Anne and Queen Camilla, the Prince of Wales is continuing a rather unique royal tradition. However, the Prince has made it very clear that his royal editorial will be more than just celebrating the beauty and charm of the British countryside or discussing his personal interests.
Instead, William is using the platform to draw attention to some pressing issues. Among his most significant statements is his determination to make the armed forces a ground for equal opportunity without any gender bias. To do so, the Prince of Wales has commissioned an article about women in the military. The article will highlight the issues that they face on a day-to-day basis.
This is the first time that the Prince has openly discussed his drive to improve the lives of women in defence. In fact, for this, William also personally met with women across ranks in the Royal Navy, the Royal Army, and the Royal Air Force to learn more about their experiences.
The Prince learned about the harassment and discrimination that they have faced in the forces. Weighing in, William stressed that he “really minds it when those who wear the uniform don’t feel safe, respected, or valued.” William argued that military culture “must be more inclusive of women," and declared that he will personally work towards making sure that the armed forces are “welcoming, open and professional for all.”
The pledge is a major milestone given the Prince of Wales’ future role as the Head of the British armed forces. He assured, “I want to play my part in making the military feel like the welcoming, open and professional place I enjoyed and make it feel like that for everyone.” According to The Telegraph, he also held meetings with leaders from the defence sector to discuss the concerns and how to address them in the future. He is also exploring a long-term initiative to oversee this.
William had famously said that 'change' was on his agenda in his sit-down with Eugene Levy, and now his statement offers a glimpse into what his reign could look like.
