Royal author Gyles Brandreth has claimed that Prince William is the only royal he has seen surpass both Princess Diana and Prince Philip in terms of public appeal and emotional connection with people, a comparison not often made in the royal fold.
Speaking to Rolling Stone, and in his 2021 book Philip: The Final Portrait, Brandreth reflected on his decades-long association with the late Duke of Edinburgh, describing him as a humorous, approachable royal who shared a rare “common touch” with Diana. Yet, Brandreth asserts that Prince William has inherited and elevated those very qualities.
“The only royal I have seen outclass both Diana and Philip is Prince William,” he wrote, adding that William is "natural, friendly, and completely easy with the people he meets – as Philip was.”
While Diana captivated the public with her empathy and glamour, and Philip charmed many with his candid humour and ease, Brandreth suggests that William blends both legacies but with a more measured grace. “He shows concern and empathy, in the way Diana did, but without those touches of self-consciousness and self-absorption that her manner sometimes suggested.”
According to Brandreth, William’s approach is less theatrical and more grounded. He recalled seeing the Prince interact effortlessly with both aristocrats and ordinary citizens on the polo field, at Highgrove, or in crowds and said that William’s “gentler sense of humour” never crossed into the brusqueness Philip was sometimes known for.
Brandreth also recalled a spontaneous moment with Prince Philip at a luncheon club, where the Duke marched unannounced into the kitchen to greet staff. “The only time I've seen it quite as well done was recently by William,” he wrote, praising the prince’s unselfconscious charm and natural people skills.
The Queen and Prince Philip, Brandreth noted, were once wary of Diana’s immense popularity, not because of her reach, but because they feared she allowed it to "go to her head." In contrast, he argues, William embodies their values of duty and service while still connecting authentically with the public.
Following Philip’s death, William paid tribute to his grandfather’s “enduring presence,” crediting him for guidance during both joyful and difficult moments, especially after Princess Diana’s tragic passing.