Prince William Shares the "Tough Question" Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis Keep Asking Him—And It Might Surprise You
"My children ask me this regularly."
Kids are just full of questions...ask any parent. And like any children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have some inquiring minds, as their dad, Prince William, shared during his trip to South Africa on Nov. 5.
The Prince of Wales teamed up with "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin's 20-year-old son, Robert Irwin—who serves as a global ambassador for William's Earthshot Prize—to visit Cape Town's Signal Hill.
As they experienced the area's natural beauty, zookeeper Irwin couldn't help but wonder about one of William's favorite things. "I have to ask — we’re in South Africa, one of the most amazing countries and continents for wildlife—do you have a favorite African animal?" he asked the prince.
It turns out the inquiry was a familiar one for the dad of three. "It’s a really tough question. My children ask me this regularly," William revealed.
"I think I’m going to have to say the cheetah," the Prince of Wales decided.
Irwin—who works at the Australia Zoo alongside his sister, Bindi, and mom, Terri—is a passionate wildlife warrior, just like his late dad. He declared the cheetah was a "very cool" choice, adding that his favorite was the chameleon, calling them an "unsung hero" of the animal world.
While Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, didn't join their dad for his African trip, Prince William wore a sweet reminder of his kids on his wrist. The Prince of Wales rocked a blue-and-green beaded friendship bracelet reading "PAPA," later revealing that it was a handmade gift from Princess Charlotte.
Stay In The Know
Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.
"Well, this is a relic, if you like, from a Taylor Swift concert that my daughter decided that she wanted to create a bracelet for," Prince William told journalists on Nov. 6 (via People). "She gave it to me when I came away. So I promised that I'd wear it and try not to lose while I was out here."
After the 2024 Earthshot Prize ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 6, the Prince of Wales will wrap up his trip with several sustainability focused events on Nov. 7. Will there be cheetahs? Watch this space.
Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.
-
Kate Middleton and Prince Louis Shared a Sweet Moment That Was Caught On Camera During the "Together at Christmas" Concert
The entire Wales family makes a brief appearance in the first footage from inside the event, which is set to air on Christmas Eve.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Sweaters, Coats, and New Boots: 15 NET-A-PORTER Items Every Winter Wardrobe Needs
The perfect mix of classic and trendy.
By Natalie Gray Herder Published
-
Princess Eugenie Seeks "Guidance" With Meghan Markle's North Star Earrings Amid Prince Andrew Scandal
The princess wore the symbolic jewels to a royal Christmas lunch.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Kate Middleton and Prince Louis Shared a Sweet Moment That Was Caught On Camera During the "Together at Christmas" Concert
The entire Wales family makes a brief appearance in the first footage from inside the event, which is set to air on Christmas Eve.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
Why Prince William, Princess Kate and Their Kids Backed Out of One of The King's Major Royal Christmas Events
Can't blame them.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate "Treat Their Staff Like Family" at Christmas, Royal Biographer Says
"They recognize that they don’t get paid loads of money," author Robert Lacey wrote.
By Kristin Contino Published
-
Princess Lilibet's Adorable Christmas Card Outfit Looks Just Like Something Princess Charlotte Would Wear
The little Princess seems to share a sense of style with her cousin.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why Prince William Was "Completely Overpowered" By 'Ted Lasso' Star Hannah Waddingham, According to a Body Language Expert
"His wide, uproarious smile with its edge-to-edge teeth suggests genuine pleasure."
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
Why Kate Middleton and Prince William Might Be Forced to Skip King Charles' Annual Pre-Christmas Lunch
The festive event, which is a star-studded affair, is set to take place at Buckingham Palace.
By Amy Mackelden Published
-
King Charles Warned Prince William Not to Make the Same Marriage Mistakes He Did, a Royal Expert Says
A royal author says the King told his son, "I neglected my marriage, and look what happened."
By Kayleigh Roberts Published
-
How the Royal Family's Christmas Celebration Will Be Different This Year Because of King Charles and Kate Middleton's Health Battles
A royal expert says this might be the reason behind the supersized guest list for this year's Sandringham celebration.
By Kayleigh Roberts Published