Prince William has revealed the moment he received an “almighty bollocking” from his grandmother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, during a childhood mishap at Balmoral.
Despite sharing a famously close bond with the monarch, William said she was never afraid to discipline her grandchildren, particularly after an incident involving a quad bike and his younger cousin, Zara Tindall.
“There have been plenty of (great moments),” William said during a Sky News video tribute marking the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2017.
“I think the earliest one that has always stuck in my mind was when Peter, my cousin and I were on a quad bike at Balmoral, and we were chasing Zara around, who was on a go-cart.”
The Prince explained that he and his cousin Peter Phillips “managed to herd” Zara into a lamp post, which came down and “nearly squashed her”.
“I remember my grandmother being the first person out at Balmoral running across the lawn in her kilt.
“She came charging over and gave us the most almighty bollocking, and that sort of stuck in my mind from that moment on.”
While the memory clearly left an impression, William was quick to stress that the Queen was also a deeply supportive and encouraging grandmother.
“She is always on hand for advice and support, and it’s as much about doing it (royal duties) our own way as it is about getting it right,” he said at the time.
“She (the Queen) likes that we have our own style. It’s a new generation, and there’s no point in everyone doing it the same way. It’s the modernisation of the royal family that keeps it interesting and relevant.”
William, who is next in line to the throne after his father King Charles III, has spoken openly about continuing that push for change within the monarchy.
“I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good. And I embrace that, and I enjoy that change, I don’t fear it,” he told comedian Eugene Levy in October.
While he did not spell out exactly what that change would look like, royal insiders believe William intends to build on King Charles III’s vision of a leaner monarchy- with fewer working royals, a tighter focus and a streamlined set of duties.
At the same time, it is understood the father-of-three hopes to emulate his grandmother’s quiet authority and diplomatic touch.
Reflecting on her influence during the 2017 interview, William praised the Queen’s rare ability to put even the most powerful figures at ease.
“They melt around her. I’ve seen some of the strongest men just literally become like putty in her fingers. They are all in awe of her.”
“The longer she’s gone on in her life and her service, the more people warm to her.”
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving British monarch and the longest-reigning queen regnant in world history.
She served for more than 70 years- from 1952 until her death at age 96 on September 8, 2022.