Prince William Is ‘Pretty Demanding,’ and It’s Shaking Things Up Behind the Scenes

Prince William has a reputation as a tough boss when it comes to a key royal role as heir to the throne.

After his father King Charles’ accession to the throne in 2022, the Prince of Wales inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, an estate spanning over 20 counties in England and Wales worth over $1 billion that provides funds for the heir. William, 42, quietly visits parts of the region once every four to six weeks, but The Telegraph tagged along on one of his recent trips, where they got insight into the royal’s leadership style.

According to the duchy’s secretary, Will Bax, Prince William is “pretty demanding” — in a “great” and “ambitious” way.

“He’s easy to follow because he’s got great conviction and personality, and he really wears his heart on his sleeve in terms of social interest and his desire to have a positive impact in the world,” Bax told the outlet.

Estate director Ben Murphy adds that the heir has a “healthy impatience, as his father did,” which “puts the wind in our sails.”

The Duchy of Cornwall, established by King Edward III in 1337, now spans 130,000 acres that include land, farms, houses and other assets. While it provides funds for the heir to the throne, Prince William is also focused on improving life for its residents.

The prince told The Telegraph, “I see the Duchy as an extension of the work we do with the Royal Foundation,” the charitable organization of William and his wife, Kate Middleton. 

“I see it as a branch of my philanthropy,” he added. “There’s so much good we can do in the rural world. I see it [the Duchy] as another arm to the work that I want to do, which is being a positive force for good.”

Related Stories

Prince William Brought a Surprisingly Modern Tweak When He Inherited 700-Year-Old Royal Role

Prince William’s Annual Salary Revealed in New Royal Report

Prince William is particularly focused on the mental health of farmers, who often deal with isolation, as well as sustainability. The duchy is also partnering with local organizations to address homelessness, a key focus of his royal work in recent years.

Bax called William “a man on a mission. He’s asking us to change and evolve in a way to deliver positive impact at scale and at pace.”

Prince William said, “I’m trying to make sure I’m prioritizing stuff that’s going to make people’s lives, living in those areas, better. This is what we’re going to do to make people’s lives in Cornwall better.”

“That, I feel as Duke of Cornwall, is something I should be doing,” he added. “It’s about responsibility, it’s about leadership and doing what’s right on the social issues of our time.”

Apparently, Prince William’s work with the Duchy of Cornwall can even spill over into family vacations with Kate and their three children: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. According to The Telegraph, during trips to the Isles of Scilly off the coast of southwest England, William is known to ask locals what would improve their lives — resulting in a new healthcare facility, housing for teachers and doctors and a more sustainable tourism agenda.

Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

The Duchy of Cornwall published its Integrated Annual Report in July, revealing a distributable surplus of $30.4 million for the 2023-2024 financial year, William’s first full year in his role as the Duke of Cornwall. He is understood to pay income tax on the income he receives from the duchy, after subtracting unspecified household expenses.