Prince William cannot deny the resemblance to his mother Lady Diana. The 40-year-old not only inherited her looks, but also her warm personality. The prince's emotional traits were once again evident at the final of the Women's Football Championship, when William gave the England players heartfelt hugs to congratulate them on their victory. Because a royal expert now claims that the British heir to the throne intentionally broke the protocol to get in touch with the kickers.
The younger royals were raised very differently
Prince William knows strict court protocol inside out. As a future king, he shouldn't be hugged under any circumstances. This rule dates back to the Middle Ages when monarchs were bestowed the status of divine rulers. Accordingly, they should be treated like gods. It allows the British royal family to retain a touch of "mysticism" today, but mainly has security reasons, former royal butler Grant Harrold explains in an interview with "OK Magazine". "If you meet a noble, you can look at them and if they offer you a handshake, you should accept it."
At the European Championship awards ceremony at London's Wembley Stadium on July 31, Prince William flouted this centuries-old rule. Defender Leah Williamson and midfielder Jill Scott received a he althy dose of royal attention and were held tightly to the 40-year-old's chest. According to the nobility expert, Williams' cordial treatment of the soccer players is representative of a more modern monarchy. "I think he and the other younger royals have realized that they can't get away with detachment," says Grant Harrold. "The Queen can get away with it because she's the Queen and she's from a different time, but younger royals have been raised very differently."
William is inspired by Princess Diana
For Prince William, the close relationship with his mother Diana played a particularly important role in showing his feelings in public and not being afraid to get close to his people. "Diana was a hugger and I think that physical contact and hugging people has a lot to do with how William was raised," says Grant Harrold. "It won't feel unnatural for William - if anything, it would feel more awkward if it was just a stern handshake. Plus, embracing the royals makes them relevant and modern.”
The aristocratic expert is certain that William will break protocols like this more often in the future. It's a way for the heir to the British throne to show people his "real self".
