Inside U.K.

Prince William Shows the Public a New Face

By STEVE HILL

Prince William has found himself back in the public spotlight as the first anniversary of the death of his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, approaches.

And it is heartening to report that, as far as most royal watchers can see, the heir to the British throne is developing into a mature, modest and rounded young man of whom his mother would have been proud.

It has helped that many sections of the British media have followed a request from Buckingham Palace not to intrude into William and his brother Harry's lives.

Newspapers, particularly Britain's notorious tabloids, are not usually noted for their restraint. But they, like many others, have generally respected the call to leave the princes alone since that fateful day last August when Diana was killed in a car crash in Paris.

Now, though, the focus is back on the princes. William celebrated his 16th birthday June 21 and marked the occasion by submitting written answers to questions put to him, personally approving what information could be revealed.

The answers made interesting reading for a public starved for information. For example, we learned that his favorite sports are rugby, football, swimming, water polo and tennis.

He likes reading action-adventure fiction and listening to techno and some classical music, while he also enjoys trips to the cinema, telephoning his family and writing letters.

William admitted to enjoying life at his school, Eton, and its distinctive uniform of tail coats and striped trousers. His ambition is to go on safari in Africa, as Harry did with their father in Botswana last year.

He would like to study geography, biology and the history of art if his examination results allow, has a pet female black Labrador called Widgeon and enjoys riding horses, as do many other members of the royal family.

Yes, he does have regrets, we learn, but not too many. William tells us that he likes playing computer games, but he has no access to a computer at home.

William diplomatically would not comment on which are his favorite musical bands, or his least favorite, or which university he would most like to attend in two years' time.

But we were told that he likes modern clothes, shops for himself and enjoys eating simple dishes and fast food.

In another concession to the media, for its good behavior, the Palace also revealed a lot of archive material that chronicles the early years of William.

We learned that he is popular with other children and known for his kindness, sense of fun and the quality of his thoughtfulness. This was clearly evident in 1994 and 1995 when he took part in sponsored walks to raise money for the elderly.

William has also proved himself a stylish swimmer, like his mother, and a fine clay pigeon shooter, like his father.

In fact, by the time all this information is digested, it's clear that he's basically the same as any normal 16-year-old, except for the fact that this good-looking youth says he does not like the adulation of young admirers.

Even the most experienced royal watchers were surprised by scenes in Canada four months ago. William, on a family skiing trip to the Rocky Mountains, was mobbed by hundreds of screaming girls in Vancouver.

Prince Harry, who recently passed the entrance exam at Eton and will join his brother there in September, appeared to find the situation hilarious, but it was no laughing matter for William, who has made it clear he does not want to be a pin-up and does not want to be followed around by hordes of screaming adolescents.

Like any other teenager, he will experience growing pains, and his will be all the harder to bear because of the fact that he is in the public eye.

The eyes of the world will certainly be watching next month, as they were a year ago when William walked behind Diana's coffin on its route to Westminster Abbey.

The boys' two families, the Windsors and the Spencers, have rallied round to help William and Harry, but this first anniversary is sure to be an emotionally testing time for the brothers.

They have shown remarkable strength and fortitude in the last year. And all signs indicate they will pass this latest test, too.

Shukan ST: July 17, 1998

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