William needs to woo the Welsh to match King Charles's record as Prince of Wales trends now
Prince William has got 'a lot of catching up to do' as the Prince of Wales compared to when his father King Charles occupied the position, a royal biographer has claimed.
BBC journalist Huw Thomas, who has written a book about the King's relationship with his eldest son, was speaking at the Hay Festival.
The King enjoyed a lavish investiture in Wales in 1969 after being taught to speak the language by a nationalist professor who was depicted in Netflix drama The Crown.
Charles also immersed himself in Welsh culture and history, helping him to develop a deep connection with the nation that he maintains to this day.
Mr Thomas speculated that William may now 'supercharge' his relationship with Wales as he seeks to emulate his father's links with the nation.
Prince William has got 'a lot of catching up to do' as the Prince of Wales compared to when his father King Charles occupied the position, a royal biographer has claimed
The King enjoyed a lavish investiture in Wales in 1969 after being taught to speak the language by a nationalist professor who was depicted in Netflix drama The Crown. Above: Charles kneels before his mother the Queen at his investiture as she places his coronet on his head
Mr Thomas said: 'He's got a lot of catching up to do in terms of the public perception of him as a Prince of Wales,' the Times reported.
'The impression I get as well is that, after the coronation, there's going to be a bit of a supercharge on the relationship of William with Wales. We'll see what comes.'
An investiture for Prince William is not being planned and it is not clear what form any charm offensive would take.
He has also done little extracurricular work to prepare for his role, although the Prince did live in Anglesey with the Princess of Wales when he was a search and rescue pilot for the RAF.
Mr Thomas, the author of Charles: The King and Wales, added that William has started to adapt the role of Prince of Wales in his own image.
'Maybe now there's a focus on mental health initiatives or outdoors. It's a bit more targeted to make sure William's seen to be doing stuff that suits William,' he said.
When he was a student at Cambridge, the King spent a term at the University of Aberystwyth in Wales to prepare for his investiture. Above: Charles leaving the university on his last day in June 1969
The author also highlighted William's recent trips to the country, including his moving visit to Aberfan, where a the collapse of a heap of coal waste killed 144 people in 1966.
