“Whatever Suits”: Prince William’s Relaxed TV Manner Seen as a Subtle Dig at Harry and Meghan’s Royal Titles
Prince William’s appearance on the BBC’s The Graham Norton Show attracted attention not only for promoting his upcoming Earthshot Prize in Mumbai, but also for an unscripted exchange that royal commentators interpreted as a possible subtle contrast with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Sitting on the famous red sofa alongside Cate Blanchett, Hannah Waddingham and Australian conservationist Robert Irwin, the Prince of Wales established a relaxed atmosphere from the start, setting aside formal royal protocol in favour of using his first name.
The Red Sofa Exchange: “Just William”
Shortly after William joined the panel, host Graham Norton raised the question of how to address the future King in the informal setting of a late-night chat show.
- The Question: “For the purposes of chat show land, how do I refer to you?” Norton asked.
- The Response: William, 44, brushed aside the formalities, replying simply: “Whatever suits.”
- The Decision: When Norton suggested calling him “William,” the Prince readily agreed: “Yeah. William. That’s good!”
Expert Analysis: A Contrast with the Sussexes’ Public Image
Discussing the broadcast on News24, Charlotte Griffiths, editor-at-large at The Mail on Sunday, suggested that William’s unpretentious manner highlighted a possible difference between his approach and that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
- Emphasis on Royal Titles: Griffiths noted that although the Sussexes stepped back from official royal duties in 2020, they have continued to use their titles across commercial, philanthropic and personal platforms.
She said: “I thought that that whole moment when Graham Norton says, ‘What should I call you?’ I almost felt like he was alluding to the fact that Meghan and Harry call themselves prince and princess and their children, even on their birthday cakes, it will say Princess Lilibet. Meghan calls herself the Duchess and HRH… I almost feel like that was a sly dig.”
- A Natural Response: Griffiths also emphasized that William’s answer appeared genuine rather than carefully staged.
“It was so nice that you could tell William genuinely was saying whatever suits, he doesn’t really care and it wasn’t put on,” she remarked.
Earthshot Countdown and Television Competition
William’s appearance was part of the promotional campaign for the sixth annual Earthshot Prize Awards, scheduled to take place in Mumbai, India, next month.
| Key Factor | Context & Impact |
|---|---|
| Earthshot Ambassadors | William shared the sofa with Earthshot Prize Council member Cate Blanchett, 2023 host Hannah Waddingham and global ambassador Robert Irwin. |
| Friday Night Ratings | The broadcast competed for viewers’ attention and social media discussion alongside Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s appearance on Channel 4’s Gogglebox. |
| Media Backdrop | William’s lighthearted television appearance came amid intense tabloid coverage of allegations involving Meghan’s estranged father, Thomas Markle Snr. |
Despite competing television coverage and ongoing tabloid attention, commentators noted that William’s relaxed demeanour offered a glimpse of a modern monarchy comfortable setting aside traditional ceremony in a public setting.
While William did not mention Harry or Meghan during the exchange, Griffiths’ interpretation has added another dimension to the discussion surrounding the Sussexes’ continued use of their royal titles.
