The Prince of Wales has defined his role as heir to the throne, saying he wants to carry out his duties with a “smaller r in the royal”.

William spelled out his philosophy at the end of a major visit to South Africa where he mixed the informal with traditional elements of the monarchy, and said he was trying to do things “differently” and wanted to be a prince for his “generation”.

The future king said what mattered to him was “impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people” and stressed “empathy” was also important “because I really care about what I do”.

He said he hoped to carry out overseas tours with the Princess of Wales, who this autumn returned to royal duties after completing a course of cancer treatment.

His comments were made in an interview with British press at the end of a four-day visit to Cape Town, which concluded on Thursday, where the prince staged his Earthshot Prize environmental awards.

Royal visit to South Africa
The Prince of Wales during an audience with Cyril Ramaphosa (Victoria Jones/PA)

Asked about a modern approach to the monarchy he appeared to be adopting, William replied: “It’s hard to describe what that is all about, but I can only describe what I’m trying to do, and that’s I’m trying to do it differently and I’m trying to do it for my generation.

“And to give you more (of) an understanding around it, I’m doing it with maybe a smaller r in the royal, if you like, that’s maybe a better way of saying it.”

During his time in Cape Town, William performed the statesman-like duty of sitting down for talks with South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa, but also dressed casually and took part in informal events.

The projects he is pursuing, attempting to find solutions to homelessness and major environmental issues, are contemporary issues growing in prominence that are likely to resonate with a younger generation.

William explained his aims: “So it’s more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people.

“And I’m also going to throw empathy in there as well, because I really care about what I do. It helps impact people’s lives.

“And I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world.

“So that’s what I’m trying to bring, that’s what Catherine is trying to bring as well.”

William has described the past year that saw his wife and father the King being treated for cancer as “brutal”.

Royal visit
The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the second annual Earthshot Prize in 2022 in Boston (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA)

During the interview William spoke candidly about the royal family’s major health scares, describing 2024 as “probably been the hardest year in my life” and a “dreadful” experience.

But he sounded optimistic about possible joint overseas engagements with his wife: “I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up.”

The last foreign trip the couple made together was when Kate joined her husband in Boston, US for the Earthshot Prize awards ceremony in 2022.