A royal expert has given his take on the reason why Prince William has spoken out against the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has been escalating since last October.
The Royal Family generally avoid making public statements about the state of the world as they are expected to remain apolitical and not show allegiance to any specific organisation.
Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams explained that William was the first royal to pay an official visit to Israel and the Palestinian Territories in 2018, showing his interest in the region and his desire to help ease the crisis.
He told Express.co.uk: “In speaking out about ‘the terrible human cost of the conflict’ and ‘the desperate need for increased humanitarian support’ he is trying to use his position to help, with carefully balanced engagements in Britain, visiting those providing aid and a synagogue.
“There are those who feel a monarch should avoid contentious matters. What is important is that he should avoid talking positions which are party political.”
Mr Fitzwilliams expressed his support for William’s stance, as he elaborated: “It is essential to raise awareness whilst avoiding compromising his position.
“In this he is following in his father’s footsteps, as Charles always saw the role of Prince of Wales as one where he could be active in helping, in the case of the Middle East, it was furthering understanding between religions.
“William is very much the diplomat, following his intervention in this crisis he will need diplomatic skills as the situation seems likely to worsen.”
“There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It’s critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released. Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home.
“Even in the darkest hour, we must not succumb to the counsel of despair. I continue to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found and I refuse to give up on that.”
Following his first visit to the region in 2018, William vowed that he would make peace for Israel and Gaza one of the priorities of his reign.
