For seven years, Jason Knauf served as a close adviser to Prince William. In a recent interview on 60 Minutes, he shared insights about the future king’s approach to his royal role, emphasising the necessity for each royal generation to adapt their duties. Knauf expressed his shock upon learning that King Charles was battling cancer, focusing attention on William, who may inherit the throne sooner than expected at the age of 42.
Knauf described the continuous nature of succession planning within the royal family, noting that its lessons are drawn from private family discussions rather than portrayals on shows like The Crown. During a challenging period marked by his father’s health issues, William learned that his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, was also diagnosed with cancer. Knauf recounted how deeply affected William was during this time, although relief came with Catherine’s recent announcement of being in remission.
Roya Nikkhah, royal editor for the Sunday Times, noted that these difficulties have reinforced William’s prioritisation of family. Their decision to relocate from Kensington Palace to a home on the Windsor estate in 2022 was aimed at ensuring privacy for their children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. In Windsor, the family enjoys more freedom from public scrutiny, and Nikkhah remarked that a return to London seems unlikely.
Knauf agreed that the family’s happiness has improved in Windsor. He highlighted that a significant focus for William and Catherine has been preparing their children for life in the public eye, learning from William’s own challenging experiences as a child surrounded by media attention.
During his tenure with the royal family, Knauf also advised Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. He revealed that he had raised concerns about troubled staff relationships involving Meghan, highlighting his role in the palace’s internal discussions. An email detailing these concerns later gained media attention before Harry and Meghan’s high-profile interview with Oprah Winfrey, thrusting Knauf into the public gaze unexpectedly.
Reflecting on his experience, Knauf noted the importance of navigating the challenges that come with royal duties, stating that he wouldn’t change anything despite the pressures. After leaving his official role in 2022, he expressed the emotional toll watching the rift between William and Harry has taken, urging respect for William’s privacy regarding his feelings on the matter.
Through his insights, Knauf illustrates the evolving dynamics of the royal family, particularly how William is shaping his future role and priorities amidst personal and public challenges.