Royal fans rarely get to see Prince William wearing his glasses despite the fact that he is a known spectacle wearer - this is the reason behind his decision.
- Prince William, along with many other members of the Royal Family, relies on glasses to help his vision.
- However, the Prince is rarely seen wearing spectacles, and there is a good reason behind this decision.
- In other royal news, Kate Middleton's surprising food confession to 109-year-old royal fan.
In a BBC documentary titled, Football, Prince William And Our Mental Health, which aired in May 2020, Prince William opened up about his mental health - and revealed that he is less anxious when he isn't wearing his glasses. While this may sound a little confusing, the Prince explained that going without glasses made it easier when speaking to large crowds because he can't see them properly.
"My eyesight started to tail off a little bit as I got older, and I didn't used to wear contacts when I was working, so when I gave speeches I couldn't see anyone's face," he said. "And it helps, because it's just a blur of faces and because you can't see anyone looking at you. I can see enough to read the paper and stuff like that, but I couldn't actually see the whole room."
Prince William explained that this was a way of coping with anxiety - which is something he didn't realize when he first started the habit.
He said, "I didn’t realize at the time but looking back I’m like that’s what helped because I couldn’t see everyone’s eyes, you don’t feel like the whole weight of the room is watching you."
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Of course, the Prince has been snapped wearing his spectacles on a few occasions, but typically the press has caught him in private moments when he isn't on duty. For example, he was snapped wearing glasses at both the Rugby World Cup while he was there as a spectator with his wife. He was also seen wearing glasses while he was driving a car with his brother, wife, and son in the car at Christmas.
This indicates that the Prince will wear contacts when attending engagements, as opposed to glasses, but when he is making a speech, he'd rather go without any eyewear.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
The Queen was seen wearing glasses on some occasions, but typically members of the Royal Family don't wear prescription glasses while they are on duty. While not many have discussed whether they need glasses or not, it is thought that they may opt for contact lenses while working instead of prescription glasses.
However, this hasn't prevented the royals from wearing sunglasses when the sun is out. Princess Anne's wildly futuristic sunglasses prove she's always had a love for funky accessories, whereas younger members of the family such as the Princess of Wales, tend to opt for the best designer sunglasses when they are on a royal engagement.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the topic, I can confidently affirm Prince William's intermittent use of glasses and his reasons for doing so. I draw on various pieces of evidence and insights provided through interviews, documentaries, and public appearances made by Prince William to support this understanding.
In the BBC documentary titled "Football, Prince William And Our Mental Health," which aired in May 2020, Prince William openly discussed his struggle with anxiety and its connection to his decision not to wear glasses during certain public appearances. He revealed that his vision started deteriorating as he aged and that he refrained from wearing contacts while working. This decision affected his ability to see faces clearly while giving speeches, leading him to view large crowds as a blur of faces. Interestingly, he mentioned feeling less anxious in these situations because he couldn't see everyone's eyes on him, thereby reducing the perceived pressure of being watched by the entire room.
Moreover, instances where Prince William was photographed wearing glasses, such as at the Rugby World Cup as a spectator and while driving with family members, suggest that he uses spectacles during private or non-duty moments. This implies a preference for contacts during official engagements and public speeches, allowing him to manage his anxiety by not seeing the crowd's eyes.
The article also hints at the broader trend within the Royal Family regarding eyewear. While there's limited discussion about their vision needs, it is suggested that many members, including the Queen, might choose contact lenses over prescription glasses while performing official duties. However, the royals are seen donning sunglasses when appropriate, showcasing personal style preferences, as evidenced by Princess Anne's unique sunglasses choices and the younger members opting for designer sunglasses during engagements.
In summary, Prince William's decision to sometimes forgo glasses during speeches is rooted in his anxiety management strategy, using his vision impairment to his advantage by not being able to see the audience clearly. This approach differs from his occasional use of spectacles in private settings or non-duty moments. The broader trend within the Royal Family suggests a preference for contacts over prescription glasses during official engagements while expressing individual style through sunglasses when necessary.
