In general, royals have usually kept a certain distance from the public. Things like selfies, casual hugs, or handshakes weren’t really encouraged.

But Prince William seems to be changing some of these traditions.

He’s also made changes to how royal trips abroad are handled. Instead of long state visits, he now prefers shorter trips that still have a strong impact.

This was seen during his two-day visit to Estonia.

“What you saw last week is a short, impactful trip that showcased an important issue,” a royal source told The Sunday Times. “It’s a model you’re likely to see more of.”

These quicker trips make it possible for royals to visit more countries in less time.

‘He wants to see real change’

Behind the scenes, Prince William is making changes to how the royal household works. Alastair Martin, who worked with both King Charles and William at the Duchy of Cornwall, pointed out that the two have very different ways of communicating.

According to Alastair, the prince told him to keep in touch through WhatsApp — a big shift from King Charles’ more old-school style of sticking to landline phones.

“If something has gone well or badly, I will want to tell my boss and he’ll be straight back,” Alastair continued. “That’s how [William] works. He’s very involved.”

William is also putting more energy into “projects not patronages,” meaning he’s more interested in real work than just ceremonial roles. Former Foreign Secretary William Hague spoke highly of this hands-on attitude.

“William isn’t interested in lengthy meetings or endless discussions. I’ve often heard him say, ‘There’s been too much talk, we need action,’” Hague told The Times.

“William is friendly and personable, but he is results-driven. You wouldn’t want to tell him you’ve made no progress. He wants to see real change.”

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