Prince William Reveals What Keeps Him Up at Night — It’s Not the Thought of Becoming King

Prince William has a lot on his plate as the future king of the UK. Queen Elizabeth has already packed his daily schedule by handing over a number of royal duties to her grandson. The father of three also has to make time to learn and prepare for his future as the monarch. During a recent interview, William revealed the one thing that keeps him up at night. And it’s not the thought of becoming king.

Prince William takes all of his responsibilities very seriously

During a 2016 interview with the BBC, the Duke of Cambridge explained that he took all of his responsibilities very seriously. William said that being a good father to his kids is just as important to him as his service to the community and his royal duties.

At the time, William was working as an air ambulance pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance. He explained that both his grandmother and his father, Prince Charles, are still very active as monarch and heir. This gives him the flexibility to serve the community and spend time with his family instead of being fully immersed in his job as a senior royal and future king.

William said that as time goes on, he will take on more royal responsibility. He’s also thinking about how he will approach his future role as monarch. He explained that he’s had two very different examples in his life. He’s watched his grandmother take a passive role and remain “above politics.” At the same time, his father is very involved with causes that are important to him.

The Duke of Cambridge doesn’t want to think too much about being king

Until recently, William wasn’t attached to any political issues or causes. He says the subject of how involved a king should be in current issues occupies a lot of his “thinking space.” But, he admits he doesn’t want to think about his future as king too much because it means members of his family are no longer around.

“I think the royal family has to modernize and develop as it goes along. And it has to stay relevant,” William said. “That’s the challenge for me is how do I make the royal family relevant in the next 20 years time. It could be 40 years time. It could be 60 years time. I have no idea when that’s going to be. And I certainly don’t lie awake waiting or hoping for it because it sadly means that my family have moved on and I don’t want that.”

William has started speaking out on some issues that are important to him. After leaving his job as an air ambulance pilot he has focused more on his philanthropy through the Royal Foundation.

The Royal Foundation is the primary charitable vehicle for William and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge. Their programs revolve around the themes of “work, conservation, early years mental health, and emergency responders.”

Prince William reveals what keeps him up at night

Hello! Magazine reports that Prince William recently appeared on the Outrage + Optimism podcast to talk about his global environmental project The Earthshot Prize. During the discussion, William said he gets “outraged by the inaction” on climate change.

The Duke of Cambridge acknowledged that it’s “probably a bit of a cliche.” But, he insists it really is what he gets most troubled about. Especially since he has a position of responsibility and leadership.

“I feel I can do a lot more if given that ability,” William said. “So therefore, I don’t understand why those who have the levers, don’t. I think that’s what really upsets me and keeps me awake at night.”

William added that when he was growing up, he felt that “tackling things negatively” was the way to move forward. But now, he admits that “actually it doesn’t work.” The duke says that a positive approach and optimism is the way to go.

“I think you have got to give people the opportunity to see the potential and the way forwards,” William said.

Earlier this month, Prince William launched his £50 million Earthshot Prize. The goal is to recognize ideas and technologies that “repair the planet.”