Prince William vows to go a 'step further' than his family and 'bring real change'

8 November 2023, 15:06

Prince William has vowed to "bring real change"
Prince William has vowed to "bring real change". Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Prince William has vowed to go a "step further" than his family and bring real change to causes he supports.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Speaking during a visit to Singapore, William praised the work of royals who were "spotlighting" important causes but said he wanted to do more than "just being" a patron.

The prince said he wanted to focus on homelessness as well as helping with mental health support and education.

But he did not want to spread himself "too thin" and not "deliver the impact or the change".

"The thing that ties it all together for me is about social leadership," William said.

Read more: Harry and Meghan hit back at claims of King Charles birthday snub, insisting they 'never received an invite'

Read more: Princess of Wheels! Kate dazzles kids with cycling skills before caring for 'brave' boy who fell off his bike

Prince William and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lawrence Wong
Prince William and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Lawrence Wong. Picture: Alamy

"That's what I'm trying to find my way in, is I care about so many things, and previously the family have been very much spotlighting brilliantly and going round and highlighting lots - I want to go a step further - I want to actually bring change and I want to bring people to the table who can do the change if I can't do it.

"And so it's all about progressing, helping and advancing particular social causes that need to be given more support.

"I've been in the homelessness sector for a long time now, and so rather than just being patron I want to do more, I want to actually build the homes, I want to provide them with the mental support, all the employment and the education they might need."

He added: "So it's all these wraparound services, it's kind of going deeper and longer, than it is the case of just having loads of causes that you sort of turn up and keep an eye on.

"It's more about: how do I show my intent more? How do we do more for you? And give you a better, better future.

"But you have to remain focused, if you spread yourself too thin you just can't manage it and you won't deliver the impact or the change that you really want to happen."

Prince William attends Earthshot+ at Park Royal Pickering, Singapore
Prince William attends Earthshot+ at Park Royal Pickering, Singapore. Picture: Alamy

It came after the third annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony on Tuesday evening, which recognises solutions to "repair" the planet.

The prince was led around MacRitchie Nature Reserve by Singapore's deputy prime minister as they discussed the environment and Singapore's vision to be a "City in Nature".

He started off the Tree Top Walk taking in the views of the jungle from a 250 metre-long suspension bridge between two of the park's highest points, Bukit Peirce and Bukit Kalang.

He carefully walked across the 25 metre-high bridge which gave a bird's eye view of flora and fauna living in the forest.

The bridge also plays an important role in forest canopy research, providing access to an area that many researchers were not previously able to reach.

His first stop on the trek was to meet four university students who take part in the Youth Stewards for Nature programme before meeting last year's Earthshot finalist Dr Isabelle Lackman at Macaranga Hut, a station for park rangers.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A woman has been arrested after a four-year-old boy was found dead in Dunholme End.

Boy, 4, found dead inside Maidenhead home as police arrest woman on suspicion of murder

Exclusive
Caz Holbrook, 54, said 2023 was a "very stressful" year after her landlord evicted her and her 15-year-old son from their home in Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

I was evicted after Liz Truss's budget tanked the economy – my son and I ended up in a beetle-infested flat

St Michael's Church, Mytholmroyd

Village church ordered to silence 'cherished' chiming bells after residents' complaints spark huge row

The Bridgerton actress said she has been left with a concussion and "on edge" - and the incident traumatised her dog.

Bridgerton actress Genevieve Chenneour left 'traumatised' after fighting off phone thief who threatened to 'stab' her

Shopper walking through the aisle of a supermarket.

Deadly disease outbreak linked to 'contaminated' UK supermarket item

Demonstrators gathered outside Stoke Newington Police Station in protest against police in schools, after it emerged that a 15-year-old Black girl ('Child Q') was strip-searched by police at a Hackney school, which is thought to be racially motivated.

Officer who strip-searched black schoolgirl while she was on her period admits failings but denies racist motivation

Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England

My mum finds Jude Bellingham’s on-field antics repulsive, says Thomas Tuchel

The jury found him not guilty of an additional sexual assault charge and have not yet returned a verdict on a charge of rape.

Harvey Weinstein found guilty in New York sexual assault retrial but acquitted on second charge

Riot police vans at Clonavon Terrace, Ballymena, as people take part in a protest over an alleged sexual assault in the Co Antrim town.

Residents 'fear for their lives' in third night of Ballymena riots as 'masked thugs set leisure centre alight'

Brian Wilson performs Pet Sounds at the Pantages Theatre on May 26, 2017 in Los Angeles, California.

Legendary Beach Boys co-founder and primary songwriter Brian Wilson dies aged 82

England head coach Thomas Tuchel.

'I'm in the right place': Thomas Tuchel wants to extend England head coach job until Euro 2028

The Lower Broughton Road in Salford.

Rioting erupts and 16-year-old girl arrested in Salford as ‘60 masked youths’ clash with police and 'set fire to car'

Katie Boulter and Emma Raducanu following their doubles match defeat to Lyudmyla Kichenok and Erin Routliffe on day three of the HSBC Championships at The Queen's Club, London

Emma Raducanu and Katie Boulter beaten in the doubles at Queens

In the latest development in the family's ongoing feud, the 26-year-old has reportedly quashed any attempts from the superstar couple to make up

Brooklyn Beckham 'cuts contact' with parents David and Victoria amid family rift over wife Nicola Peltz

Whitehall is on lockdown as police are investigating a 'suspicious vehicle' abandoned near Downing Street.

Whitehall on lockdown as police investigate 'abandoned vehicle near Downing Street'

Khaby Lame attends the 2025 Met Gala

World's most-followed Tik-Tok star leaves United States after being detained by ICE