Prince William has earned a reputation as a driven and hands-on leader in his role as Duke of Cornwall, a title he inherited upon King Charles III’s ascension to the throne in 2022.
As part of this historic role, the Prince of Wales oversees the Duchy of Cornwall, a vast estate valued at over $1 billion, spanning approximately 130,000 acres across more than 20 counties in England and Wales. While the Duchy provides income for the heir, Prince William has used it as a platform for positive social change.
At 42, the royal has made quiet working visits to the region every four to six weeks. During a trip accompanied by The Telegraph in May 2025, his leadership style came into focus: proactive, engaged, and rooted in community impact.
Though the Duchy was created in 1337 by King Edward III to fund the heir to the throne, William looked beyond its original purpose. His approach prioritizes the mental health of farmers, advances sustainability, and develops projects that serve local communities.
Not to mention that during vacations to the Isles of Scilly with Princess Catherine and their children, William has been known to converse with locals about what could improve their quality of life.
Prince William’s dedication to social issues goes beyond his royal role. In June 2022, he volunteered with The Big Issue, a UK magazine that supports people experiencing homelessness through employment. Writing for the publication, he reflected on the importance of setting a good example for his children.
“Having all three of my children see the good work being done by others is very important to me,” he wrote.
By blending royal duty with modern compassion, Prince William is reshaping the role of heir, not just as a future monarch, but as a force for meaningful impact in the real world.
The Duchy’s secretary, Will Bax, described Prince William as “pretty demanding” but in a “great” and “ambitious” way. He continued singing the Prince’s praises.
“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 remarked.
Estate director Ben Murphy echoed the sentiment, saying the Prince of Wales had a “healthy impatience, as his father did,” which “puts the wind in our sails.”
A central focus of William’s efforts included tackling mental health issues among farmers and supporting sustainability. He also deepened his commitment to fighting homelessness, a cause close to his heart.
He told The Telegraph:
“I see the Duchy as an extension of the work we do with the Royal Foundation. I see it as a branch of my philanthropy. 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.”
Bax called William “a man on a mission,” noting that he was “asking us to change and evolve in a way to deliver positive impact at scale and at pace.”
William added:
“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.”
He continued, “That, I feel as Duke of Cornwall, is something I should be doing. It’s about responsibility, it’s about leadership and doing what’s right on the social issues of our time.”
In July 2025, the Duchy’s Integrated Annual Report revealed a distributable surplus of $30.4 million for the 2023–2024 financial year, which also marked William’s first full year in the role.
Prince William is redefining what modern royal leadership looks like. What do you think of his leadership style? Let us know, and then pass this along to all the royal watchers you know so they can appreciate the Prince’s power and compassion, too!
