Prince William's Friends Reveal What He's Really Like Off-Duty — and He's Nothing as You'd Expect
From spending time with his 'lads' to donning various disguises, Prince William knows how to stay off the radar.
Behind the crown, the Prince of Wales is just one of the lads. Away from royal duties, the future King has quietly built a private life that looks very little like what the public sees. That balance between the personal and the royal was on full display recently, when William was spotted relaxing as a football fan, cheering for his favorite team alongside close friends in Turkey. "Their meetings are infrequent but cherished," a royal source told The Daily Mail. "The lads are particular fans of barbecues, beer, and a lot of wine." While the Princess of Wales knows his fate lies in a "metaphorical straitjacket and a very heavy crown", William has been trained from his childhood to "let his hair down".
Another source revealed that the future King rarely discusses his job during family gatherings and intimate occasions. Additionally, during off-duty moments, William indulges in crafty impersonations to avoid recognition. "He dons an occasional disguise, either growing – or shaving off – a beard, wearing a hat and glasses and, on occasions, employing an ‘iffy’ Welsh accent to put strangers off the scent," the source said.
Early influences on William’s desire for a simpler life included lessons from Princess Diana and the Middleton family. His experiences in Bucklebury revealed informal domestic routines, such as helping with meals and loading the dishwasher, which contrasted with royal expectations. Learning practical skills, like setting the table and grocery shopping, shaped his and wife's approach to family life during their time in Anglesey. This rural experience provided insights into the environment they envisioned for raising their children, blending traditional royal life with everyday realities. "Laying a tablecloth was a struggle, and placing the cutlery was embarrassing. He tried to claim it was because he’s left-handed,’ a royal source revealed. "That the Middletons had to nip to the shop for food, ensure there was enough bread in the house, empty their own bins and put out the recycling on the right day were all refreshing," the source added and emphasized that for William these were 'eye openers'.
Another source affirmed that the Prince and Princess of Wales like to stay out of the radar. "They keep all of it very low-key and try to have as normal a life as possible despite the grand backdrops." However, this has led to clashes between him and the monarchy. He faced criticism from the late Queen nine years ago for missing the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey to ski in Verbier, Switzerland, and for being filmed dancing in a nightclub, which resulted in a written reprimand from her.
On another occasion, he was reportedly ordered by King Charles to attend Pope Francis's funeral, having previously avoided the funeral of former US President Jimmy Carter. Recently, he declined a trip to Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa, raising concerns about his interest in Commonwealth countries. William may be burdened with the weight of the crown, but as for staying true to himself, he won't let that steal from being who he really is. "One thing is certain, he won’t be abandoning his inner circle when he takes the crown," the source concluded.
