Prince William is planning a major shift in his royal role, moving away from traditional duties like ribbon-cutting ceremonies to concentrate on more urgent, meaningful projects.

According to royal insiders who spoke to The Times, the 42-year-old Prince of Wales aims to focus on “projects, not patronages,” reflecting his growing commitment to tackling issues such as homelessness and environmental protection.

Driving Real Change

Former Foreign Secretary William Hague, who has worked closely with the prince for over a decade, praised William’s proactive style, particularly in founding United for Wildlife to combat the illegal wildlife trade.

“He called me after I left government,” Hague recalled. “He had this idea—governments were moving too slowly on the illegal wildlife trade, and he asked, ‘Why don’t we get the private sector involved?'”

Hague added: “William isn’t interested in endless meetings or talking shops. I’ve often heard him say, ‘There’s been too much talk, we need action.’ He’s personable but very results-driven. You wouldn’t want to report back to him with no progress.”

The Earthshot Prize: A Model for the Future

William’s desire to champion impactful initiatives is best exemplified by the Earthshot Prize, launched in 2020. Awarding £1 million to five pioneering environmental solutions each year, the prize aims to inspire urgent optimism and decisive action over the next decade.

Inspired by President John F. Kennedy’s ‘moonshot’ program, Earthshot ceremonies have already been held in London, Boston, Singapore, and Cape Town. This year’s ceremony will take place in Brazil ahead of the UN COP30 climate summit.

Announcing the event, William said: “We need urgent optimism now more than ever. Brazil epitomises that spirit.”

Tackling Homelessness: Continuing Diana’s Legacy

Homelessness remains another core focus for the prince. Drawing inspiration from his late mother, Princess Diana, William has long been committed to helping those without a home.

Last October, he launched Homewards, an ambitious five-year initiative aimed at ending homelessness by addressing the root causes of rough sleeping and insecure temporary housing.

In the ITV documentary Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, William said: “I’ve taken inspiration and guidance from what my mother did. I don’t believe we should be living with homelessness in the 21st century.”

William’s personal connection to the cause dates back to age 11 when Diana took him to visit a shelter operated by The Passage, a charity where he now serves as royal patron.

His commitment has extended beyond official duties; in 2009, he spent a night sleeping rough to better understand the realities of homelessness. More recently, he has worked alongside Big Issue vendors, continuing to highlight the issue through hands-on action.

Through Homewards, William hopes to build partnerships between organizations to deliver lasting change. Target areas for the programme currently include Newport, Dorset, Lambeth, Belfast, Aberdeen, and Sheffield.