Prince William is 'taking risks and nailing his colours to the mast' with a 'controversial' speech, an expert has said.
The Duke of Cambridge feels he can speak out on issues he cares about after finding his voice - having reached the age of 40 - but it could come at a cost, according to royal experts.
Jack Royston, Newsweek Royal Correspondent, believes the political side of Prince William is coming out after talking about issues such as the Windrush scandal - which is something the public would not have expected.
Speaking on True Royalty TV he said: "“We have seen [recently] a political side to him [Prince William], where he is taking risks and he is nailing his colours to the mast on issues we would not have expected.
"His recent speech on the Windrush scandal is a classic example of that. He has come out and said things I didn't expect him to say and entered terrain that is much less safe than where he has been operating recently... effectively, [he] criticised past government policy.
"When you take a risk and are a little controversial, you get a bigger reward, and it travels further.”
But Ingrid Seward, Editor in Chief, Majesty Magazine, told the programme he believes Prince William knows it won't be long until he's King and feels he can talk about issues which affect the world.
She said: " I think he [Prince William] has found his voice, which has always been there. I think he feels now he has reached the age of 40 he can speak out and he really wants to.
"I think he feels he can as he is not King yet and presumably it will be a long time until he is, and the world could have changed completely again. I think he feels if he doesn't speak out now then he never will.”
But after Prince Andrew missed last week’s Garter Day procession and what that means for his future, Royston told The Royal Beat:
"When the Queen is no longer here, Charles will not have any truck with Andrew attempting a comeback. That will be game over for him. It might be game over already.”
Seward adds that she thinks Prince Andrew will be looked after financially: “They're not going to cast him out because he will be more trouble and start talking and giving TV interviews and writing books... They don't want that again.
"He will be financially secure, but I would be very surprised if he kept the Royal Lodge.”
As the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge turn 40, Seward tells The Royal Beat she believes Catherine has a powerful role in shaping Prince William’s role: “Catherine is the power behind William. Heads Together [the mental health initiative] was Catherine’s idea.
"She is so clever and implants ideas in William and lets him carry them out in his own
way.
"She doesn't take the credit which is quite remarkable really. Catherine has been the credit for a lot of things and encouraging him and pushing him and she just stands back.”
Seward also tells the programme that moving to Windsor will give the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their family much more freedom.
“I think what William and Catherine will have for their children is the freedom they didn't have at Kensington Palace.
"I remember Harry saying to a friend of mine that Catherine was almost a prisoner at Kensington Palace, and I thought don't be ridiculous, it’s the most gorgeous place to live in London!
"Then I thought, in a way they are prisoners, they have a beautiful house and garden but beyond that garden are hundreds of people every day and massive security. Catherine can't walk in the park like Diana used to, as times have changed.
"The only place to go is a field where the helicopters land, so you are very imprisoned. Everyone knows what you’re doing and where you are.”
