The Royal Family's Most Tragic Prince

Reckless Facts About William Of Gloucester, The Other Prince William
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Reckless Facts About William Of Gloucester, The Other Prince William
Jul 21
PEOPLE
Brendan Da Costa
Prince William of Gloucester was the world's favorite royal. The tall, handsome, and daring prince seemed more like a movie star than a royal. Sadly, that only made his tragic end in front of 30,000 horrified onlookers all the more devastating. So, who really was the other Prince William? From his reckless streak to his doomed love story, let's find out.
1. He Had To Be Hidden
You might guess that William of Gloucester had it all. His parents were Prince Henry , brother to the reigning King George VI, and Alice, Duchess of Gloucester. At the time of his birth, he was fourth in line to become King of England. The royal family rejoiced at the birth of a new son—but it wasn't yet safe to reveal him to the world.
From the moment he was born, William's life was in danger.
The Other Prince William (2015), Double-Band Films
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2. He Met Humble Beginnings
Though he was a prince of England, William of Gloucester wasn't born in some decadent palace like most of his kin. Shortly before his birth, German air raids forced his family to evacuate to a small village in the country. William came screaming into the world in a humble nursing home.
After years of service in France, William's father had been able to return to be there for his birth. Then, just a few months later, he was torn away yet again.
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3. The King Sent His Father Away
Prince Henry got a few precious weeks with his wife and newborn son, but the  war  still raged and he couldn't stay. His brother, the King, soon sent him on a diplomatic mission that would bring him dangerously close to the front. The King was well aware of the risks; he wrote to William's mother saying that should anything happen to Henry, he would become the boy's guardian himself.
Thankfully, he was never needed. Henry returned home safe and WWII ended a few years later—but William still needed a guardian angel.
Wikipedia
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4. His Cousin Looked Up To Him
Though nearly 20 years younger, William was quite close with his cousin, Princess Elizabeth. He acted as a page boy at her wedding when he was just seven years old. A few years after that, he attended her coronation, when she became Queen Elizabeth II . What's more, her son Charles absolutely idolized his older cousin.
Just a few years younger, Charles was the perfect age to see William as a superhero. And, to be fair, William was one heck of a guy.
The Other Prince William (2015), Double-Band Films
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5. He Seemed Like Mr Perfect
They don't make them like William of Gloucester anymore. Tall and roguishly handsome, everyone called him warm, tender-hearted, and generous to a fault. He was fiercely loyal to his friends, particularly those who were "ill, unpopular with others, or even downright embarrassing". But no one is perfect—not even Prince Charming.
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6. He Could Still Be A Brat
Though Prince William had a good heart, he was still a prince. He grew up as the golden child for an entire kingdom, and it went to his head. He could be "tiresomely selfish," according to his biographer. That wasn't his only vice, either. Despite his cushy upbringing, even as a teenager, Prince William had developed something of a  death  wish.
The Other Prince William (2015), Double-Band Films
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7. He Loved Danger
An adventurous boy, Prince William soon grew into some extremely dangerous hobbies. From racing cars to flying planes, everyone in England heard about the daredevil prince's exploits. Pretty soon, people started calling him the Royal Family's own James Bond. It's little wonder Prince Charles looked up to him so much.
Clearly, Prince William was unlike any royal we'd ever seen.
The Other Prince William (2015), Double-Band Films
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8. He Wandered The Desert
Prince William didn't just look the part—he could claim adventures that even James Bond never could. Though the details are scarce, at some point in his life, William hiked through the Sahara Desert. But though it might sound fun, William couldn't just leave responsibility behind to wander the desert forever. He had to make something of himself.
Wikimedia Commons
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9. He Went His Own Way
Though princes like William customarily entered  military  service, he was far too independent for a uniform. Instead, he became just the second royal ever to work in civil service. He worked for a merchant bank, then became a diplomat. William still had the same adventurous streak, and he wanted to see the world.
He took a post in Lagos, then a few years after that, transferred to the British Embassy in Tokyo. That's where his doomed love story began.
The Other Prince William (2015), Double-Band Films
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10. He Was A Momma’s Boy
Before he met the love of his life, William only had eyes for one woman: his mother. William once said of his mother, “She is a human being and she must possess some faults. But so far as I am concerned she has no faults at all”. They remained extremely close for the rest of his life—but tragically, she would also live to witness his horrifying demise.
Wikipedia
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11. He Had A Strange Illness
William's mother demanded that he have a doctor take a look at him before he left for Tokyo. For the royal family's James Bond, he likely expected a clean bill of health. He was in for a rude awakening. The doctor noted that William had suffered from jaundice for several months. The prince's skin also blistered if exposed to too much sunlight.
Good thing William's mother made him go in, because the doctor found something else troubling.
Wikipedia
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12. He Received A Frightening Diagnosis
The doctor told William that he had porphyria. If that's not ringing a bell, that's the same disease that doctors believe drove King George III mad. Since the condition is hereditary, any of George's family could have it—and William was a direct descendant. Doctors eventually confirmed the diagnosis, providing more evidence that porphyria had been haunting the royal family for centuries—perhaps even as far back as Mary, Queen of Scots.
Thankfully, porphyria would not drive William mad like it had King George. It would never get the chance.
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13. He Flew Across The World
Naturally, William flew himself to Tokyo, in one of his many personal aircraft—the man was still a prince, after all. After a grueling 16-day flight from London, he arrived to find freedom like he had never really known before. Away from the standard royal duties and protocol, William could live something of a normal life. Well, "normal" for someone who's stinking rich.
It's time the  playboy  prince started living up to his name.
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14. He Flew Close To The Sun
William was a working stiff now, but he hadn't given up on his daredevil lifestyle. He still loved fast cars and faster planes—but his reckless ways meant he often flirted with disaster. Once, while in Japan, he took some friends on a flight in one o…

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