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Prince William burns royal bridges with his first move towards a more modernized monarchy, going against his dad and late grandmother. It’s no secret that the next in line to the British throne has a working plan for upgrading the monarchial system once he takes on the throne, stirring the firm towards a more relatable structure. His dad, King Charles’ cancer diagnosis has pushed the prince nearer to fulfilling those ambitions, as he braces himself to become King in the near future. Ultimately, the 42-year-old continues to partake in his princely duties, doing his best to make his dad’s reign seamless, while preparing the people for a new era with subtle glimpses into his streamlined visions.
Expectedly, this “modernized” vision would entail scrapping tons of protocols that have kept the royal family thriving for centuries and replacing them with policies geared towards the people’s interests and desires beyond general welfare. Prince William took one of his earliest steps towards a modernized monarchy with his recent two-day trip to Estonia. The visit, which marks William’s first overseas work engagement in 2025, had both political and socio-economic lure, focusing on the UK’s response to the Ukraine Conflict.
Prince William Defies King Charles on “Modernized” Visit to Estonia
The prince went right to business, visiting a Nato Base in Estonia, clad in his combat gear, leveraging his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercian Regiment. William showed his support for Estonia, met with Estonian troops, and joined efforts in welcoming Ukrainian refugees. He also attended a workshop spotlighting renewable-energy innovations, making every moment count. Interestingly, the prince kept the visit short, spending less than 48 hours in Estonia before jetting back to the UK, where his family awaited.
In another unexpected move from a royal, Prince William delighted fans on his visit to the Estonian capital, Tallinn, stopping for numerous selfies with the excited crowd during a walkabout. He even took their phones to capture the moment himself on some occasions, while shaking hands and chatting with the crowd. His shocking interaction with well-wishers in Estonia led to his crowning as “The King of Selfies,” a title neither his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II nor his dad King Charles would approve of.
Did William Break Royal Protocol on Extonian Trip?
The royal family has a long-standing no selfies tradition, which prevents them from posing for selfies with enthusiastic fans, or any similar gesture that makes them appear to enjoy the attention. The late queen upheld this tradition throughout her reign, and her son, as well as other royals, have continued to live by it. Prince William’s departure from this royal tradition on his visit to Estonia seemed like an apparent defiance of his predecessors, but royal insiders believe it to be a first step in his plans for a modernized monarchy. A source told The Times,
“What you saw last week is a short, impactful trip that showcased an important issue. It’s a model you’re likely to see more of.”
William’s approach to selfie taking is an especially new model, different from his usual uptight approach to public engagements and royal tours. By leaning more into his “fun” side, the Prince no doubt offered the crowd what they wanted, seeming more relatable, especially to the younger generation.
Why Prince William Changed His Approach to Royal Tours
Sources have previously revealed that a major driving force behind Prince William’s plans for a modernized monarchy is his bid to reach the younger crowd and win over the Gen Z population, who aren’t as receptive to the British monarchy. Breaching this generational divide could help shape the future of the monarchical system, and ultimately, its longevity.
Prince William himself has discussed this big plan for a modernized monarchy and how it resonates with the future. Following his royal tour of South Africa back in November, where royal watchers first observed signs of William’s loosening up, the future King spoke to Sky News about his vision for the monarchy, saying,
“I can only describe what I’m trying to do and that’s trying to do it differently, and I’m trying to do it for my generation.”
Going further, William explained that for him, it was more about “impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening and helping people.” Prince William also asserted that he would certainly embrace empathy in his modernized monarchy, knowing how much he loved what he does, and the impact his good deeds and actions have on people’s lives. He further stressed the need to have more “empathetic leadership” around the world, a dream he hoped would become reality beginning with himself. Perhaps his newfound love for selfies is his attempt to do just that. But at what expense?
Celebrities or Modern Royals?
Although the driving force behind Prince William’s new approach seems well-placed, hidebound royals may perceive his public show in Estonia as disappointing, given the family’s years of upholding the crown over the glamorous side of their royal lives. In all fairness, the “selfie tour,” although relatable, gave off more celebrity lure than royalty. The problem with this is, once that bridge is broken, the royals risk becoming crowd pleasers, living for the thrill of the fandom and acting with “validation” from the public as their driving force rather than the zeal to serve, as is typical of celebrities.
We see this play out in the Prince’s recent social media habits, with his posts becoming more engaging and less uptight, featuring more obligatory tributes and birthday wishes even to non-royals, informal family snaps, and even celebration of favorite athletes and sporting teams on social media as would any other showbiz figure. It is safe to say, then, that Prince William’s idea of a modern monarchy is one that resonates with modern-day Hollywood. But what does that make the royals? Perhaps, just another set of media personalities famous for running a philanthropy show, protected by their centuries-old dynasty.
