It’s been a telling week for the Prince of Wales. Over the course of a couple of days, he gave a clear sense of how he will approach his next role. And crucially, how he intends to do it in his own way.
First came a serious step on the path towards the throne. William and Catherine attended the installation of the new Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, at Canterbury Cathedral (hat tip, by the way to the Princess’s incredible hat).
It was hugely significant, not just because Archbishop Sarah was making history as the first woman ever to hold the role, but also because she may eventually also become the first ever woman to crown a monarch at William’s coronation.
William will, in time, become Supreme Governor of the Church of England, so this is a relationship that really matters.
It helps that he has already struck up a warm rapport with Archbishop Sarah - aided by their shared love of Aston Villa. But they also share a desire to make the Church feel more accessible and relevant to the society it serves.
Which brings us to William’s own approach to faith.
We are told that William’s is a “quiet faith” and that while he may not attend church as frequently as his father King Charles or grandmother Queen Elizabeth II, he is nevertheless committed to the institution and wants to strengthen his bond with it.
It’s a mindset that perhaps better reflects society’s changing attitudes towards religion. For William, it is clearly something that is personal, rather than performative and he is not interested in pretending otherwise.
© Getty ImagesThe Prince has said himself that change is on his agenda, “change for good,” and he firmly believes that institutions must evolve to stay meaningful.
The Church of England will remain central to his future role. Constitutionally, it has to be. But how he expresses his own relationship with it will look different to what we’ve seen from previous generations of royals.
Back in uniform
This more modern approach was visible again when William headed to Wiltshire to visit the Mercian Regiment. Here, the future Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces was on more familiar ground.
William’s connection to the military runs deep - shaped by his personal experience since his time at Sandhurst and active service with both the Army and the RAF, and also through his family’s longstanding tradition of support for the military community.
© Getty ImagesBut what stood out during his visit was not just that continuity, but the tone of his interactions. There was warmth, ease, and a genuine sense of connection.
There were jokes about shaving off his beard to match current trends among soldiers and a comforting arm wrapped around the mother of a young serviceman recently returned from a deployment to Estonia.
He also spent time with women soldiers, asking them what more needed to be done to support them.
This is a Colonel-in-Chief who doesn’t just turn up for the big ceremonial engagements, but genuinely cares and empathises with the men and women who populate the regiment. He’s been in their shoes, even if he was not allowed to serve on the frontline.
Royal with a small ‘r’
It’s this blend of empathy and approachability that increasingly defines William’s style.
He has talked about wanting to “do royal with a small r” and this week felt like a very clear example of what that actually looks like in practice. Less distance and deference, more connection and genuine interaction, along with a strong desire to make a difference.
One final moment from the week really underlines this approach. Like his father Charles, William is a keen letter writer and often reaches out to people, if he is moved by their story. The latest is the US skier Lindsey Vonn, whose Olympic dream was shattered last month by a devastating crash, after which she narrowly avoided losing a leg.
The Prince happened to be watching the Milano-Cortina Games when it happened, and quietly wrote to wish her well. The story only emerged because she chose to share it in an interview.
And that, for me, sums it up. William is doing things quietly, thoughtfully, with empathy - and resolutely in his own way.
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