Why Prince William Must Be More ‘Traditional’ While Harry Appeals To Younger Audiences

Prince William and Prince Harry are very different. That’s especially clear in the ways they handle the press, but that’s apparently due to their standings within the royal family.

ITV interviewer Tom Bradby conducted interviews with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for “Harry & Meghan: An African Journey.” He revealed to ABC News/“Good Morning America” that Harry has the luxury of breaking tradition because he is unlikely to ever be king.

“William is taking a more traditional approach to how to be a member of the royal family, and in a sense, he has to,” Bradby explained. “He’s going to be King. He can’t afford to alienate any constituency. He hasn’t, and he’s playing it in his terms extremely well in quite a traditional way. Harry and Meghan have just decided to play things very differently.”

Harry and Meghan were very open and emotional in the documentary, which debuted in the U.S. on Wednesday. They spoke about how they felt attacked by the press, which has made some feel sympathy while others think it’s just a publicity stunt.

Bradby noted that he believes the Duke of Sussex is always being truthful. “He’s always been one of those people that, you ask him an honest question, in public or in private, he’ll tend to give you an honest answer, for better or for worse, and I think that’s what was happening here,” the reporter commented.

He also pointed out that the negative reactions from tabloids don’t necessarily represent everyone. “My impression is, for the under 35s, the reaction has been almost universally positive. The older you get, the much more mixed it is,” Bradby noted.

“Harry is essentially trying something new. He’s appealing to a new demographic in a new way. William has to play things in a more traditional way and I think that’s really where most of the tension lies,” he added.

Prince William is second in line to the throne. His father Prince Charles will become King of England after Queen Elizabeth II’s reign ends. Prince Harry, meanwhile, is sixth in line to the throne. William’s children, George, Charlotte and Louis, are all in front of him.