A new interview with Prince William has been published today by GQ; speaking to Alistair Campbell, The Duke of Cambridge continues the talk of mental health for Heads Together, with some new photos being published with the article too.
Prince William has given an interview to GQ
“Smashing the taboo is our biggest aim,” William said of Heads Together. “We cannot go anywhere much until that is done. People can’t access services till they feel less ashamed, so we must tackle the taboo, the stigma, for goodness sake, this is the 21st century.
“I’ve been really shocked how many people live in fear and in silence because of their mental illness. I just don’t understand it. I know I come across as quite reserved and shy, I don’t always have my emotions brewing, but behind closed doors I think about the issues, I get very passionate about things. I rely on people around me for opinions, and I am a great believer in communication on these issues.
“I cannot understand how families, even behind closed doors, still find it so hard to talk about it. I am shocked we are so worried about saying anything about the true feelings we have. Because mental illness is inside our heads, invisible, it means others tread so carefully, and people don’t know what to say, whereas if you have a broken leg in plaster, everyone knows what to say.”
The cover of the magazine bears a striking photo of the Duke, with the headline ‘William – A Prince in his Prime.
Prince William is interviewed in his living room at Kensington Palace (Norman Jean Roy)
The 2nd-in-line also spoke about the importance of his family to him as his support network:
“I could not do my job without the stability of the family. Stability at home is so important to me. I want to bring up my children in a happy, stable, secure world and that is so important to both of us as parents.”
William talked of the world he wants his children to live in – a normal one. “I want George to grow up in a real, living environment, I don’t want him growing up behind palace walls, he has to be out there. The media make it harder but I will fight for them to have a normal life.”
William and Kate sit in the garden with their two children playing; dog Lupo runs in the background (Norman Jean Roy)
Photographer for the interview, Norman Jean Roy, captured the dashing image for the cover, a snap of William with Campbell talking in his Kensington Palace sitting room, plus a family shot of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in the garden with Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
Of course, talking about emotions inevitably meant that the topic of Diana’s death would be brought up, but William was honest: “I am in a better place about it than I have been for a long time, where I can talk about her more openly, talk about her more honestly, and I can remember her better, and publicly talk about her better.
“It has taken me almost 20 years to get to that stage. I still find it difficult now because at the time it was so raw. And also it is not like most people’s grief, because everyone else knows about it, everyone knows the story, everyone knows her,” he added, noting his unique position.
“It is a different situation for most people who lose someone they love, it can be hidden away or they can choose if they want to share their story.”
And poignantly: “I would love her to have met Catherine. It makes me sad that she won’t.”
The full interview is available in July’s issue of GQ.
