Prince William will ‘step up into a statesman role’ during the global pandemic

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the London Ambulance Service during the Coronavirus crisis!

Kensington Palace and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been using a global pandemic as an exercise in power-grabbing and embiggening. It’s really strange, actually. There was a story last week about how William and Kate would finally step up to the plate now that the Queen and Prince Charles were self-isolating because of the coronavirus. The idea of a William Regency is even being lightly floated. William and Kate also stepped out last week to visit an NHS emergency-call center, where they did not socially distance and basically they put vital health care workers in danger because the Cambridges wanted a photo-op in a pandemic. Now Katie Nicholl – one of Willileaks’ favorite royal reporters – has more embiggening to do. Did you know that William is set to step up as a STATESMAN?

The Duke of Cambridge is set to ‘step up into statesman role’ during the coronavirus crisis and will lead the royal family’s efforts to support the nation, an expert has revealed. Prince William, 37, was the first member of the royal family to speak to the nation during the crisis in a video released last week, and joined Kate Middleton, 38, to visit an NHS 111 centre on Friday. And speaking to Australian website 9Honey, Katie Nicholl said the move was ‘significant’, adding that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were the ‘best placed’ members of the royal family to be ‘pillars of support’ for the nation at the moment.

She revealed: ‘We’re seeing William step up in that statesman role. It strikes me as interesting that the first member of the royal family to address the nation has been William.’

Katie said the decision would have been ‘cleared by Buckingham Palace’ before Prince William’s video was released. The expert explained that the Queen, 93, ‘needs’ to be ‘pretty much in quarantine’ in Windsor due to her age. Meanwhile Prince Charles, 71, and Princess Anne, 69, are also among those most at risk of the disease and fall into the higher-risk age group for coronavirus as they are both over 65. She said the mood at Buckingham Palace had been ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ but as the crisis ramped up, there were ‘too many risks’ for the royals to carry on as normal.

Katie revealed: ‘Obviously William and Kate aren’t in the vulnerable sector, therefore they are perhaps the best placed or among the best placed of the royal family to be able to help at the moment.’ She also said Kate and William are now temporarily diverting their attention from their key work, and instead focus on supporting the nation as it tries to cope with the pandemic. Katie added the couple wanted to continue to work ‘as long and as safely’ as they can, to act as ‘pillars of support’ for the wider community.

[From The Daily Mail]

Actually the Sussexes were the first members of the royal family to discuss the pandemic, but whatever. The point is that William is sending out messages to his favorite reporters that right now is his moment to shine, and that he will be the face of the royal family during this global health crisis. As I keep saying – this is the moment where William and Kate should be doing what they’ve done for years: going dark and f–king off to their country home. The nation does not need the Cambridges to endanger the lives of health care workers because they (W&K) want a photo-op.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the London Ambulance Service during the Coronavirus crisis!

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the London Ambulance Service during the Coronavirus crisis!

Photos courtesy of Backgrid.

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106 Responses to “Prince William will ‘step up into a statesman role’ during the global pandemic”

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  1. Digital Unicorn says:

    Of course he wants to – got to keep reminding Harry who the REAL VIP of the BRF is.

    • RoyalBlue says:

      Indeed.

    • Zazu says:

      It’s even more ridiculous that William isn’t using his Heads Together iand football mental health initiative at this moment. He could get prominent football players to record mini video chats encouraging people to #stayhomesavelives AND take care of their mental health right now doing x,y, z.

      Kate could do more podcast interviews or faq video chats with experts on taking care of kids and homeschooling help. Kate could read viewer questions and the experts can answer.

      But Harry is talking about mental health on sussex royal, so William has to avoid it to distinguish himself or some shit? Ugh. By not doing these obvious things, they show how grasping they are for photo ops not real help.

      • Nic919 says:

        Sophie Wessex did a brief video about homeschooling. If Kate wanted to she could do something similar. It’s obvious she doesn’t. She will hide away as seems to be her annual trend this time of the year. Other royals have done brief videos with their kids about how to wash their hands properly. Again Kate would have to care.

        As for William, he would rather have his mouthpieces say he will do something than actually do it.

      • ArtHistorian says:

        Why do the work when you can just have the press sing your praises for doing practically nothing? Will and Kate have never had much zeal for their “causes” beyond a photo op here and there, why expect them to change now. This is their MO – have puff pieces written about how they are going to step up this year, do a few photo ops and then sit back and do nothing.

      • Digital Unicorn says:

        @Nic919 – I loved that Lady Louise shot that video, was a cute mother/daughter moment. And I loved the nice touch of the wall of games and DVDs in the background.

      • goofpuff says:

        Ok that’s assuming he actually wants to do any real work beyond photo ops and articles embiggening him. Which means he’ll only do more if Harry & Meghan do something that makes him jealous.

  2. Sofia says:

    Let us know when he actually steps up. Him and Kate have been saying for years through the press about how they’re “getting ready” and “keen”

    • Bella DuPont says:

      Nobody gives two shits about Kate’s struggle survey and I can’t even remember what the last failed venture William last championed is. So great idea (and excuse!), to toss those to the ever mounting heap of failed causes and jump on one people are forced to care about at the moment.

      Nice little bit of opportunism there. Let’s see what impact they actually have on this.

      • RoyalBlue says:

        William is trying to save the world with his earthshit awards. No work done on it so another project started and dropped.

      • Lise says:

        I remember that he drinks in a pub with some guys to talk about mental health?

    • Tessa says:

      William is getting more and more pompous, believing his own publicity. He needs to sequester himself with his family and just shut up. Let the professionals deal with this serious pandemic.

      • Mrs.Krabapple says:

        Their dumb publicity stunt at the emergency center did more harm than good. The best thing they can do is stay home and stop bothering people who are trying to work.

  3. Aria says:

    These two were idiots. Also WHO no one is immune to these disease. These are stupid people they not get sick surely they are the carrier of these disease to old people and spread it to them . Like how bats have many diseases none affects them but it spreads to vulnerable people. That’s why WHO said to generation z who went to beach spring break , they may not get sick surely they might pass to pre existing health condition people and old people. There is also the rumor going on thta princess beatrice is acting monarch. Watch your back will beatrice is there . How they will people when they are not in london?? Statements should be in capital to help the process in this case he went to country side everyone why because rose is there. No one in kp is infected so they can stayed there and according to their pr they are not vulnerable . Sure he is a true statemans where he cant give up one week of rose bush for the nation.

    • BayTampaBay says:

      Two thumbs up to all you say!!!!

    • Erin says:

      Beatrice is not “acting Monarch.” There is no rumor she’s in charge. The queen remains in charge. There was a “what if” article about what happens if the monarch is absent. The Counsellors of State act on her behalf when she isn’t available and they are the spouse of the monarch and the next five people in line to the throne above the age of 18. Currently that’s Philip, Charles, William, Harry, and Andrew. The speculation is *if* Harry no longer lives in UK (he has not changed his residency and remains a Counsellor of State), and *if* Andrew was removed due to “retiring,” and then *if* Phillip, Charles, and William were incapacitated then *possibly* Bea would be in charge.

  4. Rae says:

    Ditto.

    Photo ops at already overworked call centres not included.

  5. S808 says:

    Ahh, this “stepping into a statesman’s role” is William’s version of Kate’s yearly discovery of her voice.

    • Nic919 says:

      Sure sounds like it.

    • Mac says:

      Since Johnson locked down the country, I’m not sure what exactly they will be doing.

    • Elena Rindell says:

      I always wonder what they really mean when they say Kate is finding her voice. Has she been using sign language all this time? Is she the little mermaid? Did someone take her voice? Why infantilize her like this?

      • Suz says:

        @Elena – Perfecting her fake posh accent.

      • Oh Elena —- loved your snarky comment. Also, I have a friend who is an ER doc at an extremely busy, big city hospital here in the US. He says they are seeing many 30-40 year olds who have the virus and have it bad. He says he and other docs are trying to get the CDC and WHO to amend their statement that young people are more likely to be carriers than to catch it. He says the virus has no boundaries and it is important that it is known that ANYONE can catch it and die from it. As to Katie Nicholl’s, she is down on her knees so much servicing William that I hope she has invested in a good set of knee pads! She sold her soul to the Cambridges some time ago.

    • Tessa says:

      William is so not a statesman. The next appearance will focus on what Kate wears and how whs does her hair with William pulling the “caring faces.” So horrid.

    • kellebelle says:

      Good one!

    • Lexistential says:

      THIS. It’s his FFK parallel to her FFQ press. Ridiculous.

      And, at his age, Prince Charles was already a statesman.

  6. Circe says:

    jFC, he can’t make his face show even remotely close to genuine emotion. What a tool.

    • Enny says:

      In the photo of him chatting with two women, by his facial expression it looks like he’s lecturing them, not listening to them.

    • Lexistential says:

      His “I’m here for people” face always looks like a consciously chosen expression. It’s not just facial features falling into place and totally unnatural. Very fake and off-putting.

  7. Seraphina says:

    I bet they foresee this as a temporary role that will embiggen them and then they can go dark for a while. These two don’t want to work nor does William want the responsibility.

    • Olenna says:

      ITA, the embiggening continues. Both Keens are blatant opportunists, and the RRs that try to prop them up are just disgusting.

  8. Harla says:

    Ugh! I’m sooo glad that Harry, Meghan and Archie are far away from this…. I don’t even know what to call it…giant ego stroke, toxic power grab, the list goes on.

    • Mumbles says:

      Harry is sixth in line to the throne. He is no longer the spare heir, hasn’t been for years. This is not a power grab from him. If anything it’s a power grab from Charles.

      • Harla says:

        Yes, I understand that Mumbles. My thought is more along the line that I’m glad they’re away from all the toxic testosterone spillage.

  9. Nic919 says:

    He is literally doing nothing useful right now so what is he leading? This is the time for elected leaders who actually run the government to do their jobs. The monarchy is a symbol and they can’t talk to the virus and tell it to stop killing people. People with knowledge of science are required as well as people who know how to manage resources in a crisis. None of these things are skills that William has.

    He can’t even properly model social distancing behaviour so he failed at the one thing he could try to do. His ego and vanity took precedence over safety and their visit looks dumber by the minute especially when the uk finally went into a lockdown days after their dumb visit.

    Hundreds maybe thousands in the UK alone will die over something this fool was joking about last week. William needs to shut up and play in the Rose bush. He is useless for this moment and emblematic of what the monarchy in the UK actually means, basically nothing.

    • Chrissy says:

      Well said, NIK19. All these stories are doing is keeping The Keens in the news when everyone else seems to have hunkered down at home. Even the Sussexes. William is an pathetic, opportunistic wannabe with no skills, empathy or brains. Is it wrong to hope he gets the virus?

    • SomeChick says:

      If Rose is smart, she will self-sequester.

  10. portobadisco11 says:

    Statesman to do what exactly?

  11. Ellie says:

    I checked, and we don’t need you Bill.

  12. YT says:

    Keep it up, Willie, and you will guarantee the end of the British monarchy.

    He wants praise and attention, but I suspect he would not mind the end of the monarchy (work), his major share of the family wealth, and a life of constant vacations and girlfriends.

    • Alexandria says:

      Really doubt it but I welcome it cos I don’t think the UK is any less interesting without the BRF.

      William will be fine even if there’s no more monarch. Their personal wealth is massive. That’s why his attitude is like this.

  13. Izzy says:

    Technically, he was the first BRF to address the nation when he was caught on video mocking the pandemic.

    The Sussexes, on the other hand, were the first BRFs to address the entire world.

    • Harper says:

      Here’s the Duke of Cambridge’s official first address to the nation regarding the coronavirus outbreak:

      “I bet everyone’s like, ‘I’ve got coronavirus, I’m dying,’ and you’re like, ‘no, you’ve just got a cough’.”

      “It does seem quite dramatic about coronavirus at the moment. Is it being a little hyped up, do you think, in the media?”

      “By the way, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are spreading coronavirus. Sorry!”

  14. MJM says:

    Now would be a good time to release some follow up to the survey on the early years initiative. What were the results and what is the Duchess of Cambridge’s plan moving forward? Weren’t we supposed to hear in March?

    • Giddy says:

      I’m sure that there was such a huge and thought provoking response to Kate’s very important survey that it is difficult to summarize. So difficult that it may take years. Next, I expect her to have Kate’s Kountry Korner on the BBC where she can answer carefully screened questions on child care, visiting mummy, gardening, ( remove all roses) and how to fill your day so that you seem busy.

    • Sarah says:

      Oh but now with quarantine, none of the original survey is applicable. Eight years of hard work down the drain. Back to the drawing board, Katie!

  15. jessamine says:

    That moment when Kylie Jenner is more helpful during an international crisis than you.

  16. Florence says:

    Do piss off, Little Willy!

  17. Elena Rindell says:

    I always wonder what they really mean when they say Kate is finding her voice. Has she been using sign language all this time? Is she the little mermaid? Did someone take her voice? Why infantilize her like this?

    • Becks1 says:

      I find it interesting that that phrase is used for her now consistently, considering Meghan’s comments two years ago at that conference/event where she mentioned that women don’t need to find their voice, they have a voice, they need to be empowered to use it (I cant remember her exact quote.) Well, apparently Kate doesn’t have a voice yet.

      • Harla says:

        I don’t believe that Kate has ever been empowered to use her voice nor is her mother/husband/in-laws inclined to listen.

      • Elena Rindell says:

        @Becks1, I remember that conference as well. It was the first time the “fab four” made an appearance. That was Meghan’s exact quote. Good memory!

        Kate is truly a disappointment. I saw a video on Twitter where a lady says she had hopes that when Kate married William the perception of the royal family would change but unfortunately Kate morphed into just another royal. She then said she hoped Meghan wouldn’t be the same because she has strong values, was a feminist and she’d been an activist all along. I’m glad Meghan stayed true to herself.

      • February Pisces says:

        Kate’s ‘voice’ is whatever her husband tells her to say to stop him from leaving her.
        @elana I think kate would have been ‘passable’ in her role if only she existed before Diana’s time. You can’t go from Diana -to-Kate and expect kate to make any real difference. Kate would have loved the same hysteria that Diana and Meghan got, but she doesn’t have it in her to really stand out and make a difference. History will forget kate.

  18. Stephanie says:

    One would think if these two were the face of the royals during the crisis it would have been KATE doing the royal insta for parents and caregivers about resources available for children during this time and not SOPHIE.

  19. Becks1 says:

    I kind of love how they keep mentioning that they’re putting off their other work for this. WE KNOW YOU DONT HAVE ANY OTHER WORK WILL AND KATE.

  20. Zut alors says:

    How keen of him.

  21. booboocita says:

    Good grief, are there no doctors or other health care professionals in the U.K. to advise him? YOUNG PEOPLE ARE BECOMING INFECTED TOO!!! It’s not just the elderly and immunocompromised. Swanning about trying to look keen endangers himself, his wife, his kids, his staff … siddown, ya goof!!!

  22. ABritGuest says:

    Off topic but was just thinking of that recent post about how Harry may need to return to England if Kate gets pregnant & general hype about a 4th pregnancy since last year. Just twigged that the media would love another royal baby because of missing out on money making opportunities with no Lindo Wing& christening stroll for Archie.

    • GuestWho says:

      That was a weird one. They’ve said they aren’t having any more children, so why bring it up? And why would Harry have to come back if she did get pregnant? Does she need a Lamaze coach?

  23. Kim says:

    Love the first photo. Is that their trying to look “Keen” pose?

  24. Jumpingthesnark says:

    This falls into a sub genre of royal Rota pieces that I’m calling “I’m going to be king, y’all!!!!!!”. All about Bill, little to none about the people and organizations that are parts of the pieces. People and organizations that are essentially props for the main message……. he’s going to be king at some point. It’s so gross…..

  25. MeghanNotMarkle says:

    So, they want William out and about looking constipated instead of staying the F at home? He’s not doing anything useful during this time so he really should just hunker down at Anmer with Kate and the kids.

  26. Aurora says:

    Wow he really can’t wait to put his dad and grandma in the ground. If the Queen or Charles happens to fall down some stairs in the near future I’ll be side-eyeing Willileaks.

  27. bluemoonhorse says:

    JMO but Will knows that pragmatically that granny and/or daddy could die during this pandemic. This will put him one step closer to the throne or on the throne. Statistically, there is a good possibility both could die – QEII had pneumonia that seriously sidelined her just a few years back. So yeah, people should realize King Willy could be closer than you think.

  28. Sid says:

    Chile, everyone is being told to stay at home. Exactly what does this clown think he is going to do?

  29. Krystina says:

    Could she clench her fists any tighter in that photo?

  30. Jaded says:

    Since when does faffing around at photo ops make him a “statesman”? A statesman is the following:

    1. A bedrock of principles
    2. A moral compass
    3. A visionary
    4. Has the ability to build a consensus to achieve that vision.
    5. A person who is experienced in the art of government or versed in the administration of government affairs.
    6. A person who exhibits great wisdom and ability in directing the affairs of a government or in dealing with important public issues.

    Does this sound like Willyleaks to you?

    • carmen says:

      No, he definitely does not come to mind – he is the antithesis of all these things. He does not possess any of the qualities one would expect in a credible leader.

  31. Citresse says:

    In that last photo it looks like the red- headed 111 worker is saying to the blonde 111 worker, can you believe this dolt???

  32. Golly Gee says:

    What do age and vulnerability have to do with putting out a message of support? Like the Queen and Prince Charles can’t safely send out a video message from the palace? I mean the holes in this story…

  33. Andrew’s Nemesis says:

    None of us needs William to be ANYTHING at present. We have a statesman, our Prime Minister, who has finally grown up and, last night, gave a cool, clear and coherent speech to the nation. We’ve been placed on lockdown (and not before time: selfish arseholes, like the Spring Breakers in Florida, were treating the working-from- home directive as an excuse to flood into parks, seaside towns, and drive their arsewagon camper vans into the Highlands, Wales and Cornwall to infect the locals and overstretch their public services). The key people in the nation are the Prime Minister, Government, advising scientists, healthworkers, supermarket staff, logistics experts, farmers and police/military. Not some jumped up chinless wonder. He is irrelevant. He has no purpose. He cannot ‘console’ us or ‘comfort’ the nation. Despite the sycophants on the Wail, whose comments I read in disgust as I went for a feverwalk around the internet, a turd in a banana hammock would be more relevant than William (if only to demonstrate a need for all the lavatory paper idiots have been stockpiling).
    Coronavirus update: I THINK I’ve turned the corner, though it’s early days. My breathing isn’t so laboured as it was and my fever is down. I still ache and feel appallingly tired, as though I’ve had a hideous bout of food poisoning. Still can’t taste my food and get nauseous easily.
    Thank you for all the support and advice, Bitchies, over the past days. It’s been invaluable and brought me to tears. I love the community we have on here. Hope you’re all safe and well. So much love to you all.

    • Jaded says:

      Thank YOU for writing such cogent, intelligent and entertaining comments. Am happy you’ve turned the corner – keep writing! xo

    • GuestWho says:

      So glad that you’re feeling like you’re getting better. Hopefully, now that you’re past the crisis, you’ll be able to get enough rest to get back to healthy. Must have been so scary.
      Meanwhile Commander Bone Spurs over here wants to get the economy “back on track” by sacrificing lives. Smh – he’s truly the biggest danger to us now.

      Take care and best wishes for continued healing.

    • carmen says:

      Love & appreciate your comments and I’m so happy to hear things are looking up for you.

    • dawnchild says:

      Andrew’s Nemesis…I was scanning the comments for you! Was concerned about your report from 2 days ago. Please don’t rule out going to get checked out. An xray might tell them what’s going on with your lungs. I’ve read too many stories (was on a jag till I stopped myself) of people getting better before getting worse. But keep getting better!
      We have a cousin in NY on a ventilator with Covid for the last week…not looking good so far. They said it’s good to be in the hospital already in case you suddenly get worse and they can get to you faster. But I also have a NYC friend healing at home from pneumonia…probably Covid since they’re all quarantined from exposure to a known case, so there is that. Aagh, so much going down. Plus another local Philly friend who couldn’t travel home to Spain for his father’s funeral…

    • Bohemian Angel says:

      Great to know your on the mend Andrew’s Nemesis!

    • Thirtynine says:

      Such good news! Glad to hear youre on the mend, Andrews Nemesis.

    • Keep getting better. We are all rooting for you, Andrew’s Nemesis

  34. Louise177 says:

    Lol that they are going to work when they literally don’t have to do anything.

  35. OriginalLala says:

    I guess we can add the Cambs to the growing list of celebs and influencers who are getting desperate for attention

  36. Guest says:

    This pandemic has shown just how useless the royal family is.

  37. Citresse says:

    Just think. A mere three years ago William chose to skip the Commonwealth day in favour of dad dancing in Verbier and now he’s a statesman!!!!!!! LOL

  38. Awkward symphony says:

    @ZAZU
    “It’s even more ridiculous that William isn’t using his Heads Together iand football mental health initiative at this moment. He could get prominent football players to record mini video chats encouraging people to #stayhomesavelives AND take care of their mental health right now doing x,y, z.Kate could do more podcast interviews or faq video chats with experts on taking care of kids and homeschooling help. Kate could read viewer questions and the experts can answer.”

    Ikr!🤦‍♀️ especially as kate is the patron of nurses her silence is deafening. Even more as this is 200th anniversary of nurses and midwives and them playing essential part in fighting this disease and risking their lives, I wish they had sophie as patron because she wouldve done something to thank them long ago.
    That PR stunt with NHS111 showed how they’re all about publicity and not content! These people are still pushing their media dogs to go attack Meghan and Harry so..

  39. Pip says:

    I think most of us in the UK would now like to concentrate on what the much derided experts are saying, rather than this twat. I really hope that this family is on its way out. Vive la Republique!

    Stay safe everyone.

    Signed a very stressed NHS worker.

    • Bohemian Angel says:

      Thanks Pip for all you and your fellow NHS workers do for us, not just now during this pandemic but everyday. My daughter was taken care of so wonderfully when she was wee and poorly and just these past few months I’ve gone through a trying time and have been and still am being well taken care of. I can’t thank you and all the NHS staff in the UK for all you do and how hard you work. I better stop now as I’m getting emotional, need to go and find my ‘stiff upper lip’ 😉

    • ABritGuest says:

      Thanks for all you and your colleagues are doing Pip! appreciate you& really hope all your& your colleagues efforts are not forgotten when this crisis is over.

      @Zazu these are fantastic ideas! As I’ve been saying most of us commentators could do a better job than the palace advisors.

  40. Laura Cee says:

    My brain can never bleach this thought out, but…I have a feeling that Prince Workshy Willy’s “I’m listening” face is eerily like his “I gotta poop” face (sorry on day 5 of working from home and my socialization skills are deteriorating. 🙂

  41. Marjorie says:

    I think someone once wrote here that when Camilla met grown-up Wills the first yime she said “I need a drink.” I so want that to be true.

  42. Wilma says:

    Sorry that it takes a serious pandemic to show how unimportant Royal celebrities are. They could social distance completely and no one would notice.

  43. Liz version 700 says:

    So Prince Charles has the Covid 19 virus which makes all of William’s in your face stuff so much grosser gah