Prince William's response to royal family drama reflects lesson from his hardest year

Prince William has made his position on Earl Spencer’s explosive new memoir by saying nothing at all.

The Prince of Wales appeared unfazed when reporters called out questions about his uncle’s book, Swan Song, as he arrived at a community cinema in Acton this week.

Wearing a sharp navy suit and tie, he walked past without stopping to address the controversy, choosing instead to keep his focus on the engagement.

For William, there appears to be little appetite for becoming involved publicly.

The Prince was just 15 when he walked behind his mother’s coffin following her death in 1997, an experience that has remained a defining part of his life.

In 2024, both his wife, the Princess of Wales, and his father were diagnosed with cancer.

During an appearance on Apple TV’s The Reluctant Traveler, William admitted that trying to maintain his royal responsibilities while supporting his family had been exceptionally difficult.

“It’s been dreadful, it’s probably been the hardest year of my life, so trying to keep everything on track has been really difficult,” he said.

Royal commentator Phil Dampier believes those experiences have strengthened William and Catherine’s resolve to keep family matters away from the public arena.

“William and Kate have had a policy of never complain, never explain,” he said, pointing to William’s decision not to respond when questioned about the memoir earlier this week.

Dampier also suggested that future king’s approach reflects his growing awareness of the role he will eventually inherit, particularly after years in which disputes involving Prince Harry and Andrew have created additional pressure around the monarchy.

After Harry and Meghan made allegations of racism within the royal family during their 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey, William directly addressed the issue, telling reporters: “We are very much not a racist family.”

Dampier believes William is also gradually establishing the kind of public approach he wants to take when he becomes King.

“He’s setting the standard for how he wants to play it,” he said, adding that the difficult experiences of recent years had given William “perspective and inner strength”.

Even William’s personal choices can reflect that determination.

During his recent visit to the Isle of Bute in Scotland, the Prince opted for an anorak rather than the traditional kilt often worn by his father, King Charles.

According to Dampier, that is simply characteristic of Prince of Wales.

“He doesn’t like wearing them and once he’s made his mind up, he tends to stick to it,” he said.

 “If he doesn’t want to wear a kilt, he won’t.”