Prince William is facing backlash after his recent attempt at speaking Welsh in a pre-recorded video message for St. David’s Day was criticized as “halting” and inaccurate. The controversy comes as renewed attention is placed on a private text he sent to Prince Harry—one that reportedly left his younger brother visibly distressed.
On March 1, the Prince of Wales shared a message in Welsh on Instagram to celebrate St. David’s Day. However, his effort was met with sharp criticism from Cardiff University language professor Dr. Dylan Foster Evans, who claimed William’s pronunciation was flawed.
“His pronunciation is a little faulty,” Dr. Evans stated during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He noted that William has had ample time to master the language, given his long-standing role as the heir to the throne and, more recently, as the Prince of Wales.
“People say that he should be able to do a bit more than read for a few seconds from an autocue,” Dr. Evans added. “Since Welsh has had official status in Wales since 2011, maybe we should expect quite a bit more.”
The criticism has reignited debates over William’s connection to Wales, with some questioning whether he has done enough to embrace the culture of the nation he represents.
Others argue that learning a language fluently is a challenge and that William’s efforts should be recognized rather than condemned.
The controversy surrounding William’s Welsh skills has surfaced at the same time as renewed interest in his text message to Prince Harry, which was revealed in the Harry & Meghan Netflix documentary.
Although the contents of the message have never been made public, the documentary captured Harry’s emotional reaction after reading it. He appeared visibly shaken, leading to speculation about what William had written.
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The resurfacing of this moment has fueled ongoing tensions between the brothers, who have remained estranged since Harry and Meghan stepped down as senior royals in 2020. Their relationship further deteriorated following the release of Harry’s memoir, Spare, which painted William as temperamental and even physically aggressive.
Some royal watchers believe that the backlash over William’s Welsh and the resurfacing of his message to Harry are not entirely unrelated. They argue that criticism of the future king is being amplified by those sympathetic to the Sussexes, who remain at odds with the royal family.
Others suggest that William’s handling of both situations reflects the broader challenges he faces as he prepares for his future role as king.
While he is widely respected for his dedication to royal duties, his ability to connect with different cultures and navigate family tensions remains under intense scrutiny.
With tensions between the Waleses and the Sussexes still simmering, it remains to be seen whether William will respond to the latest controversy. Will he take steps to improve his Welsh skills and address public concerns? Or will this criticism fade as the royal family continues to push forward with their official engagements?
One thing is certain: Prince William’s every move—whether it’s a text message to his brother or a simple St. David’s Day message—will continue to be dissected by royal watchers and critics alike.
