Video LoadingVideo UnavailableClick to playTap to playThe video will auto-play soon8CancelPlay nowSign up to our free email to get all the latest royal news and picturesMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Sign up to our free email to get all the latest royal news and picturesInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeThe Prince of Wales, who was brought up with the knowledge that he would one day ascend to the throne, is beginning to exhibit traits of the kind of leader he will become – and it’s evident he takes after a significant royal figure. The exact moment when King Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales informed William about his future role remains unknown. However, from an early age, he began receiving ‘training’ for his impending responsibilities. Following his parents’ separation, the late Queen initiated a new tradition – Sunday lunches with her grandson, which has significantly influenced the man he has become today.
Queen Elizabeth played a huge role in her grandson’s life
(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)
“The prince takes his style from his royal grandmother, who intervened as the marriage of William’s parents dissolved in 1995,” Robert Lacey, a royal historian and author of the best-selling book Battle of the Brothers, told PEOPLE. “The 13-year-old was in a fragile place – alone and just starting boarding at the elite Eton College across the river from Windsor. Concerned for her grandson’s emotional state, the Queen invited William up to join her when Eton boys went home for the weekend.” Royal author Robert has revealed that the intimate lunches between Queen Elizabeth and Prince William, who is second in line to the throne, were actually the brainchild of Prince Philip. “Philip was crucial in helping coach William as a future King,” he explained. Sign up to OK’s royal newsletter to get updates sent to your inbox for free
Prince William would go and have tea with the Queen at Windsor during his school days at Eton
(Image: Getty)
“It was Philip’s idea to set up the lunches between William and his grandmother. When the time came for the Queen to talk business with William, Philip would quietly excuse himself because he didn’t feel that the constitutional side of the Queen’s job was something he wanted to interfere in.” Emulating his late grandmother’s stoic mantra, Prince William has adopted the ‘never complain, never explain’ policy. Amidst a barrage of criticism from his brother Harry towards the monarchy, William has remained silent, concentrating on his duties, except for one rare occasion when he publicly denied allegations of racism within the Royal Family.
The Prince of Wales and Queen Elizabeth shared a deep bond
(Image: 2012 Getty Images)
Renowned body language expert Judi James has observed that Prince William mirrors his late grandmother by radiating a sense of ‘authority’, yet maintains an effortlessly charming demeanour. She told Woman and Home: “Like his grandmother though, William appears to be working up a very charming and disarming social smile.” She continues: “Previously a man who was rather wary of the press and photo-opportunities, William now seems to have honed his social skills with what looks like encouragement and example-setting from Kate.” Judi went on to highlight that William’s “hugely affable” smile is also reflective of his late grandmother, saying it “looks as congruent as those worn by The Queen on visits, with the cheeks raised and rounded and the eyes narrowed and crinkled in an eye-smile”.
Story SavedYou can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnPrince PhilipPrince WilliamPrincess DianaRoyal FamilyQueen Elizabeth IIKing Charles III