Diana, Princess of Wales, once made a striking prediction about the future popularity of her eldest son, Prince William, according to a royal expert.
Diana, who tragically passed away in 1997 at the age of 36, gave birth to William in June 1982 when she was just 21 years old.
Jennie Bond, a former BBC royal correspondent, shared that Diana once remarked how “lucky” the country was to have William, implying she believed he would become a beloved figure within the Royal Family.
Speaking to The Mirror, Bond explained, “Clearly, William is getting things right. His relaxed and relatable approach to royal duties is really striking a chord with the public.”
She added, “Even his manner of speaking sets him apart from past generations. He’s articulate, but not overly formal. And while he dresses smartly, he’s just as likely to be seen in jeans and sneakers.”
Recalling her conversation with Diana, Bond said, “He’ll happily take selfies with fans, and even help with the camera if someone gets nervous. These gestures make him feel more connected to ordinary people, despite his royal status.”
Diana’s comment to her, Bond recalled, was: “William’s alright. The country is very lucky to have William.” She believes Diana’s intuition was spot on.
Recent polling by YouGov supports that view, showing Prince William as the most popular member of the Royal Family, with 75 percent of Brits expressing a favorable opinion of the future king.
His wife, Princess Kate, who officially became a royal in April 2011, is close behind in the rankings. The couple, who recently marked their 14th wedding anniversary, are parents to three children: Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7.
Speaking about the survey results, Bond said, “I’m not sure how much attention the royals pay to public opinion polls, but perhaps they should. William himself has acknowledged the importance of keeping the monarchy relevant and connected.”
“Polls, even if imperfect, provide some insight into whether the Royal Family is still resonating with the public,” she concluded.
