EXCLUSIVE: The Massive Constitutional Change Prince William is 'Determined' to Enact When He Becomes King
Prince William is determined to introduce sweeping constitutional changes once crowned king.
Oct. 16 2025, Published 8:37 p.m. ET
Prince William is preparing to take a more political approach to the monarchy when he becomes king – privately vowing to "challenge" government advice and speak out on global issues in a way that will mark a sharp break from royal tradition, palace sources have told RadarOnline.com.
The 43-year-old Prince of Wales, who has spent years refining his public role under the shadow of his father, is said to believe that future monarchs cannot remain entirely silent on matters of conscience.
A Future King Ready to Challenge Tradition
Prince William quietly vowed to modernize the monarchy.
His recent statement calling for an end to fighting in Gaza signaled what one senior aide called "a glimpse of the king he intends to be – measured, but not mute."
A palace insider said: "William feels that the monarchy has to evolve with the times. He's not interested in being a distant figure who simply cuts ribbons and signs papers. He believes there are moments when silence becomes complicity – and that a modern king must have the moral courage to speak when it truly matters."
The source added: "He's determined to be more engaged politically than his predecessors, but always within the spirit of service rather than partisanship."
The prince's comments on Gaza earlier this year – in which he expressed "deep concern about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East" and called for increased humanitarian aid – caused both praise and unease across Westminster.
While some described it as a bold act of compassion, others accused him of crossing constitutional lines.
Speaking with Purpose, Not Politics
William’s Gaza comments revealed his evolving royal philosophy.
A former senior government official said: "William knew exactly what he was doing. That statement wasn't a misstep – it was deliberate. He wanted to show that the Crown can have a voice without becoming political. It's the beginning of what he sees as a new kind of kingship – one that doesn't just observe suffering but acknowledges it."
According to insiders, the prince's willingness to test convention dates back to his time as Duke of Cambridge. His hands-on involvement in causes like homelessness and environmental policy often blurred the line between advocacy and politics.
"When he launched his Homewards project, he came to meetings with detailed plans and tough questions," said one senior adviser. "He doesn't just want to endorse initiatives – he wants to influence outcomes."
Frustrations with Constitutional Constraints
Palace aides said he was 'determined' to speak with conscience.
Those close to him say that William's frustration with rigid constitutional limits has grown over the years, particularly since the 2019 crisis over Boris Johnson's attempt to prorogue Parliament.
"That episode really shook him," said a former palace staffer. "He saw how fragile the system could be and how little power the monarch actually has to act in moments of political danger. He's said privately that, as king, he won't just nod through decisions he believes are wrong."
A senior royal source added: "He's learned from both his father King Charles and grandmother, but he's his own man. He respects the rules of constitutional monarchy, but he also believes the sovereign's duty isn't just to sign off on advice – it's to question it when conscience demands."
A Vision for a Modern Monarchy
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Friends said he aimed to be a thoughtful but outspoken king.
William's former private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, once stressed to him the principles of neutrality and restraint that define the monarchy. But according to one insider familiar with those discussions, the prince's thinking has evolved.
"He believes challenging advice isn't defiance – it's responsibility," they said. "William intends to be thoughtful, but he won't be passive."
Whether the government – or the public – will welcome a more vocal monarch remains to be seen. But among William's inner circle, there's little doubt about his direction.
"He's preparing to be a very different kind of king," said the palace insider. "And he knows it's going to make some people uncomfortable."
Under the British constitution, royal advice is meant to be accepted, not questioned.
When King Charles was advised against attending the Cop27 climate summit in 2022, he complied without protest — even though the decision conflicted with his own wishes, driven by his desire to save the planet.
