Prince William Reveals He's Gone Undercover with UK Spy Agencies
Prince William spent three weeks working in secret with British intelligence agencies, according to a new press release from Kensington Palace. The royal spoke highly of the men and women who work with the agencies.

- According to a new royal press release, Prince William spent the last three weeks working with undercover British spies.
- Kensington Palace shared the news on Twitter and on its official website, including a breakdown of how Will spent his three weeks in intelligence.
- Will spoke highly of the men and women in the intelligence agencies in a quote he gave about the experience.
The name is William, Prince William.
Yes, that's right, the Duke of Cambridge is apparently a spy—or at least he kind of interned as one. Kensington Palace revealed that Will just finished three weeks of work as a spy. Why? Well, here's the reason, in Will's own words:
“Spending time inside our security and intelligence agencies, understanding more about the vital contribution they make to our national security, was a truly humbling experience.
These agencies are full of people from everyday backgrounds doing the most extraordinary work to keep us safe.
They work in secret, often not even able to tell their family and friends about the work they do or the stresses they face.
They are driven by an unrivaled patriotism and dedication to upholding the values of this country.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
We all owe them deep gratitude for the difficult and dangerous work they do.”
The exact details of any real spying Will got to do aren't super clear, but Kensington Palace did give a basic breakdown of Will's three weeks as an agent, which included work with at least three different agencies.
Will's foray into the world of espionage started with a week of working with the Secret Intelligence Service—also known as MI6, roughly the UK's equivalent of the CIA, which focuses on international intelligence. Then, Will spent a week working with the Security Service, MI5 (which focuses on domestic intelligence) and finally, a week at the Government Communications Headquarters in Cheltenham, "where he spent time with those using cutting-edge technology, technical ingenuity and wide-ranging partnerships to identify, analyze and disrupt threats," according to the Palace.
And, apparently, the agencies were happy to have a royal in their ranks.
"Having The Duke of Cambridge spend time with our teams was an incredible opportunity. William worked exceptionally hard to embed himself in the team and comfortably held his own amongst some highly skilled analysts and operators," explained a man identified only as "David, GCHQ Head of Counter-Terrorism Operations" told the Palace for its press release. "His Royal Highness asked some probing questions and demonstrated a real grasp of our mission. This was a rare opportunity to expose, in detail, the technical ingenuity and problem solving skills needed on a daily basis to help keep the UK safe."
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for theMarie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Kayleigh Roberts is a freelance writer and editor with over 10 years of professional experience covering entertainment of all genres, from new movie and TV releases to nostalgia, and celebrity news. Her byline has appeared in Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, The Atlantic, Allure, Entertainment Weekly, MTV, Bustle, Refinery29, Girls’ Life Magazine, Just Jared, and Tiger Beat, among other publications. She's a graduate of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.
-
Princess Diana's Niece Amelia Spencer Reveals Secret Fifth Bridal Outfit
Royal (adjacent) wedding goals, period.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Meet the Model-Off-Duty Hairstyle That Doubles as a Faux Face Lift
Jawline? Snatched.
By Emma Aerin Becker Published
-
Hailey Bieber's Sugar Cookie Pedicure Is Almost Too Sweet
The beauty founder is tapping back into a milky white nail trend.
By Hanna Lustig Published
-
All the Details on Princess Kate and Prince William's Seriously Luxe Mustique Vacation
From a $42k villa with a private butler to a celebrity-fave bar, the Waleses are enjoying some fun in the sun.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Kate "Put Her Foot Down" and Refused to Let George, Charlotte, and Louis Take Part in "Blooding" Tradition
The Princess of Wales is raising her kids on her own terms.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Kate Middleton Trades Her Red Carpet BAFTAs Gown for a Luxe Beach Vacation Bikini
She's skipping the awards ceremony for a private island loved by celebs.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince William "Didn't Have a Romantic Bone in His Body" Before Falling in Love With Kate Middleton
"William also attempted to turn Kate's head with his sporting prowess."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Prince Harry and Prince William Share This Parenting Conundrum as They Honor Princess Diana
The Prince of Wales and Duke of Sussex have found themselves in similar situations recently.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
King Charles Is Very Particular and Can “Lose His Temper” If Things Aren’t Done Right, a New Book Claims
And his temper has apparently been "inherited in different measures by Prince William and Prince Harry."
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Prince William Had a Heartbreaking Reason for Choosing His Childhood Dream Job
The surprising occupation had to do with his mom, Princess Diana.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William Gave Queen Elizabeth a Hilarious Nickname Because He Couldn't Pronounce "Granny" as a Toddler
You'll never guess this one.
By Kristin Contino Published