Prince William 'struggled with balance of home and work life' in 'hardest year of life'

Prince William said he enjoyed the freedom and responsibility in his new role as he arrived in South Africa for the 2024 Earthshot Prize awards' glittering ceremony

Prince William has opened up about how he has struggled to balance home and work life in what he's deemed the "hardest year in my life".

It comes as many have seen his latest solo visit to South Africa as a sign the Prince is entering a new era of his life, having spent the last two years in the role of Prince of Wales since his father became King. William took a leave of absence to care for Kate and their children but announced his return to royal life on foreign soil this week with the culmination of the 2024 Earthshot Prize awards at a glittering ceremony in Cape Town.

The prince heralded the success of the fourth instalment of his global environmental awards – giving five £1million prizes each year over a decade for solutions to the most pressing climate issues, as well as taking the phenomenon to Africa for the first time.

Royal aides said the trip was evidence of William emerging into a new era of statesmanship, after being in the role of Prince of Wales for the last two years since his father became King. There is no doubt William has entered a new phase, from the causes he has taken on, to his ambitions for the future.

In the last year he has also launched Homewards, an ambitious five-year project to tackle homelessness. Such projects – and his wife Kate’s crusade to highlight the importance of early years development in children – appear to now be the bedrock of their future.

Asked whether he was enjoying the responsibility and the freedom in his new role, he said: “It’s a tricky one. Do I like more responsibility? No. Do I like the freedom that I can build something like Earthshot, then yes. And that’s the future for me. It’s very important with my role and my platform, that I’m doing something for good.

“That I’m helping people’s lives and I’m doing something that is genuinely meaningful. So, the Earthshot is a culmination if you like all that put together. But it takes a lot of work; meetings, people coming in, a lot of chatting and phone calls, letters, all trying to sort of make the Earthshot get to being the best possible entity it can be.”

William admitted his duties had been a place of solace amid such testing times. Although appearing to be relaxed this week, he said he had struggled with the balance of home and work life.

He revealed: “I couldn’t be less relaxed this year. It’s more a case of just crack on and you’ve got to keep going. I enjoy my work and I enjoy pacing myself and keeping sure that I have got time for my family too.”

William met inspiring young people from townships using sport to lift themselves from poverty, entrepreneurs, environmentalists and the South African president Cyril Ramaphosa. He also joined supermodels Heidi Klum and Winnie Harlow – who presented awards – on a boat tour of the picturesque fishing village of Kalk Bay.