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Prince William has faced more than his fair share of scandals and public controversies over the years. As the future King of England, his every move is under intense scrutiny. While his charity work and dedication to environmental and conservation causes is admirable, William's actions have not always reflected well on the monarchy. Let's review some of the major scandals and controversies that have dogged Prince William over the past decade.
One of William's earliest scandals involved his on-again, off-again relationship with Kate Middleton in the late 2000s. Their fairy tale wedding in 2011 seemed to cement their future together and help secure the monarchy. However, just a few years later in 2016, William abruptly ended things with Kate in a very controversial manner - breaking up with her over the phone right before New Year's Eve. This was emotionally devastating for Kate who was left upset and in need of space. Their dramatic breakup drew major headlines and criticism of William's insensitive handling of the situation.
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Around this same time period, William began to face accusations in the British tabloids of being "workshy." He was dubbed "Throne Idol" due to taking on a lower number of royal engagements compared to other family members like Prince Charles. This scandal intensified when William skipped the 2017 Commonwealth Day service to go skiing in Switzerland. Photographs emerged of him chatting with a glamorous model named Sophie Taylor, fueling the narrative that William wasn't taking his royal duties seriously. He was forced to acknowledge the criticism and emphasize his focus on his young family.
This ski trip in 2017 also embroiled William in another scandal. Photographs published in The Sun showed William dancing closely with his hand on a woman's waist at a resort, alongside the provocative headline "What will Kate say?". This embarrassing footage, showing William dancing intimately with two other women, confirmed that wife Kate was extremely upset by his behavior. The incident raised doubts about the state of their marriage.
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In 2014, William attracted more controversy when he spoke out against wildlife poaching at a London conference. However, his conservation advocacy was criticized as ill-timed and hypocritical by some, as royal family activities like hunting endangered golden eagles in Britain undermined his message. Critics argued William should focus his efforts on addressing issues closer to home first before lecturing others.
Comments William made about the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022 attracted backlash as well. Describing the European situation as "very alien," he faced criticism from Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., who argued his remarks ignored Europe's colonial history and ongoing issues faced in Africa. This highlighted perceptions of William's lacked awareness and cultural insensitivity at times.
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Similarly, remarks he made about Africa's "burgeoning population" and its environmental impact sparked outrage for being insensitive and problematic. Focusing his population comment exclusively on Africa rather than issues in Britain came across as tone deaf.
Rumors of William allegedly having an affair with neighbor Rose Hanbury have persisted for years, generating ongoing scandal. The speculation leaves wife Kate to continually deal with the public fallout.
Harry's new memoir further exacerbated royal family tensions, with him describing a physical altercation with William where his brother allegedly "grabbed him by the collar" when they were younger. Harry portrayed William and the royals neglecting Meghan Markle's mental health struggles as well.
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Most recently, criticism emerged regarding William's apparent lack of involvement or public support during Kate's acute morning sickness issues during her recent pregnancy. Accusations of his detached attitude towards royal duties continue despite the numerous scandals.
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In conclusion, while Prince William is rightly praised for his philanthropic causes, his personal actions and comments have embroiled him in one controversy after another. From callous breakups and rumors of infidelity to cultural missteps and family tensions, William's 'squeaky clean' image has faced myriad cracks. As the future king, he will need to navigate these scandals carefully while developing stronger cultural awareness if he hopes to rebuild trust and restore the Windsors' standing with the British public.
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