This brand-new portrait of Prince William is so striking, it made me do a double take.
This week, the Prince of Wales, 42, traveled to South Africa for The Earthshot Prize in Cape Town. During his multi-day trip, the royal stopped by the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, which is one of the country’s ten National Botanical Gardens.
Photographers captured haunting photos of Prince William walking alone in the garden, complete with artsy leaves blocking part of the shot.
Prince William is deep in thought as he stares off in the distance, and I can’t help but wonder what’s going through his mind. Maybe he’s nervous about the Earthshot Prize ceremony, which will take place tonight. Or maybe he’s missing his wife, Kate Middleton, and his three children, Prince George (11), Princess Charlotte (9) and Prince Louis (6).
There’s a good chance it’s the latter because Prince William has been paying tribute to his kids by wearing a friendship bracelet that says “Papa.” The Prince of Wales wore the bracelet during multiple royal outings in Cape Town—even when he played rugby while visiting Ocean View Secondary School.
The accessory was reportedly made by Princess Charlotte, and it references the nickname his children gave him. The 9-year-old royal was likely inspired by Taylor Swift, who has encouraged Swifties to wear (and trade) friendship bracelets throughout the entirety of the Eras Tour. Princess Charlotte met the singer over the summer, so the timing makes sense.
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