Prince William, Duke of Cambridge has revealed how being a father has made him ‘more emotional’ in a documentary to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his father’s charity, The Prince’s Trust.
“I’m a lot more emotional than I used to be, weirdly” William said. “I never used to get too wound up or worried about things.
Prince William has said fatherhood has made him more emotional.
“But now the smallest little things, you well up a little more, you get affected by the sort of things that happen around the world or whatever a lot more, I think, as a father.”
The Duke further explained to Ant and Dec, the TV duo who followed Prince Charles around for 12 months to film the documentary, that he has realised how precious life is since having Prince George and Princess Charlotte in his life: “Just because you realise how precious life is and it puts it all in perspective. The idea of not being around to see your children grow up and stuff like that.”
PRINCE CHARLES IS EMBARRASSING JUST LIKE ANY FATHER SAY WILLIAM & HARRY
The documentary looks at the past four decades of the charity, which The Prince of Wales began concerned too many young people were being excluded from society through a lack of opportunity. He used his Naval severance pay, £7,400 paid to him in 1976, to fund a number of pilot projects.
Emotion is not something new for Prince William: in 2013, programme maker Jane Treays revealed that The Duke of Cambridge was overcome with emotion – welling up, in fact – as he watched a clip of a rhino, butchered and bleeding to death. This was just a few weeks after the birth of Prince George.
Brothers William and Harry both praised Charles’ ‘insurmountable amount of duty’ as part of their informal interviews with Ant and Dec. Prince Charles is now 67, working beyond the average age of retirement.
“The Prince’s Trust evolved over time into what it is now, which is this incredible charity, that has really bust every possible limit it was ever set – it’s really done well. And I think he’s incredibly chuffed at how it’s gone,” said William, 33.
Camilla also features in the documentary and praised her husband’s vision and passion: “I think I’m really proud to be married to somebody who, 40 years ago, aged 27, had the vision to put it together – I mean it was an incredible idea then.
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, has praised Prince Charles’ passion and vision in the documentary on The Prince’s Trust. Picture by Stephen Lock / i-Images
“For somebody – he was very young then – to think of it and to think of these very disadvantaged young people who had literally been to hell and back and to find a way to give them a second chance in life.”
Thought to be The Duchess of Cornwall’s first TV interview, she spoke of her husband’s enthusiasm: “He just has that energy. You know if you’re passionate about something you can do it, he cares so much about these young people.”
Charles added that he hopes one of his sons ‘might take an interest’ in taking over the Prince’s Trust eventually ’cause I’m probably getting past my sell by date now.’
When Ant And Dec Met The Prince: 40 Years Of The Prince’s Trust, will be screened on ITV on Monday 4th Jan at 9pm.
