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Prince William has been embroiled in a number of public storms throughout his life as a member of the royal family. From allegations of racism to an awkward breakup with Kate Middleton, Britain's future king has faced no shortage of crises and controversies. While William and Kate's 2011 wedding helped bolster the monarchy's image, it does little to erase William's troubled past. Here is a look back at some of Prince William's biggest scandals.
The Breakup with Kate (2005)
Prince William and Kate Middleton's fairy tale relationship hit a major bump in 2005 when William abruptly called things off. According to reports, William ended things with Kate over the phone just before Christmas - a devastating blow for Kate who was left in tears. The breakup came seemingly out of the blue, as Kate was under the impression they were planning a future together. William was said to have told Kate he wasn't ready to settle down and needed space to find his own way. The breakup gained major media attention and cemented William's playboy image at the time.
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Lazy Royal Accusations (2016-2017)
William found himself under fire in the media for being overly idle and not carrying out enough royal duties. Tabloids dubbed him "workshy William" and accused him of being an "idol" rather than actively serving the monarchy. Criticisms were lodged that William only carried out about 60 royal engagements per year compared to other working royals. The scrutiny intensified when William skipped the 2017 Commonwealth Day service to go skiing in Switzerland, where he was photographed chatting with a model. William defended himself to an extent but the accusations of laziness lingered.
'Dirty Dancing' Video Leak (2017)
On the same ski trip to Switzerland where he met the model, more embarrassing footage emerged of William dancing closely with other women in a nightclub. The Sun published video showing William with his hand on a woman's waist, accompanied by the headline "Will Kate be furious at William's dancing with beauties?" Palace sources said Kate was "furious and devastated" by the leaked footage. It damaged William's image and fueled rumors of trouble in his marriage.
Hunting Hypocrisy Claims (2014)
William drew hypocrisy claims when he condemned poaching in Africa during a speech, despite continued reports of him engaging in hunting activities back in Britain. Wildlife charities argued William should focus on halting illegal hunting practices closer to home before lecturing others. Critics said it was hypocritical of William to decry endangered animal poaching overseas when he participated in hunting activities like stalking eagles in Scotland. The episode highlighted perceptions of double standards.
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Slammed for 'Racist' Africa Comments (2019)
At the Tusk Conservation Awards, William's comments about population growth in Africa being a threat to wildlife were condemned as racist by some observers. Civil rights leader Bernice King said William's remarks were "a horrific statement" ignoring Europe's dark history in Africa of pillaging communities and enslaving people. Other accused William of peddling harmful, colonial-era stereotypes about overpopulation in Africa with his comments. It marked another tone-deaf blunder on African issues.
Rose Hanbury Rumors (2019-Present)
Rumors of an affair with Rose Hanbury, a married neighbor in Norfolk, have dogged William for years. Tabloids have published a wealth of salacious claims about ‘hot tub parties’ and William and Rose growing close. While nothing has been proven, the rumors persist and have caused major strain on William and Kate's marriage, according to reports. William and the palace have refused all comment on the matter, failing to quell speculation.
Harry's Memoir Claims of Violence (2022)
In his bombshell memoir, Prince Harry alleged William physically attacked and verbally abused him before Kate and William's wedding in 2008. Harry penned that William struck him and used a derogatory slur during a disagreement. He said William apologized but the brothers remained distant for over a year after. The Palace refused to comment on the allegations, while experts said they damaged both William and the royal family's image if proven true.
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Kate's Cancer Diagnosis Sidelines (2022)
Since news broke of Kate's unspecified but life-threatening cancer diagnosis and hospitalization earlier this year, William has barely been seen publicly comforting or supporting his wife. Many note William's glaring absence from Kate's side at what should be a traumatic time, continuing a pattern of his frequent no-shows to family events over the years. It fuels existing criticisms of William being distracted or unreliable as the heir to the throne.
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In conclusion, Prince William has faced an extraordinary number of scandals for a senior royal that have persistently dogged his public image and threatened to undermine the monarchy's esteem. From accusations of laziness to explosive claims from his own brother, infidelity rumors to injuries racist statements, controversies have seemingly never been far from William. As the future king, ongoing scandals raise serious questions about William's ability to modernize the royal family and merit the extensive public support they receive as the British monarchy moves forward.
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