Staff and insiders spill on working with Prince William: ‘Stringent boss’

He’s one of the most famous people on the planet – and insiders have now opened up about what it’s actually like to work for the future King.

IN LONDON

Palace aides and others who have worked with Prince William have opened up about what he’s really like behind closed doors.

As a “senior figure” on one of his projects told the UK Times’ royal editor Kate Mansey, he is a “stringent boss” and “won’t be pushed into anything he doesn’t want to do”.

According to others, the heir to the throne is also “known to fire off dozens of weekend WhatsApp [messages] to staff”.

Other sources claimed that he is “laser-focused” when it comes to his goals, but is both “thoughtful” and “collaborative” and his “sometimes tough approach is born of a zeal to get results”.

Staff have claimed William is a “stringent boss”, but also “thoughtful” and “collaborative”. Picture: Jane Barlow – WPA Pool/Getty Images

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William Hague, a former British politician who set up United for Wildlife, which aims to protect endangered species from the illegal wildlife trade, with the prince more than a decade ago, told the publication that he is “passionate and persuasive”, as well as “affable” yet “tough” when it comes to achieving targets.

“He’s not one for long meetings or going around the same thing again,” Mr Hague said.

“I’ve often heard him say, ‘There’s been too much talk about that. We need to see some action.’

“He is friendly to deal with and personable. [But] you really wouldn’t want to go and tell him, ‘We’ve got absolutely nowhere in stopping elephant ivory being sold.’ He wants to know that you’re getting results.”

Another source close to William – as well as his wife, the Princess of Wales – told the Times that he is forever striving for normalcy.

“Three words come to mind when I think of William,” the insider said.

“Normal, private, control. These are the things he wants: as normal a life as possible; private time for his family; and control over how he organises his life and work.”

William is striving for a normal life where possible, while balancing his sense of duty. Picture: Henry Nicholls/AFP

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They added that Kate is “just as strong on control and privacy” as her husband, and that her recent battle with cancer and subsequent treatment has brought them even “closer” together.

“In that glare of publicity and scrutiny they are very tight, very close, very strong, and cancer has made them closer and stronger, which is very common in families facing these challenges. “She’s hugely influential behind the scenes in hiring and decision-making and they approach it as a team … they’re a good double act.”

The insight into William behind closed doors comes just a day before he’s set to represent the King at the funeral of Pope Francis at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

He will join world leaders, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, US President Donald Trump, and France’s President Emmanuel Macron.

The King and Queen were among the last high-profile figures to see the Pope prior to his death, having stopped in for a private meeting two weeks ago during their royal visit to Italy.

However, the monarch typically does not typically attend funerals of this nature, in keeping with protocol and precedent.

Originally published as Staff and insiders spill on working with Prince William: ‘Stringent boss’