Screaming crowds. Crying fans. Marriage proposals. No, this isn't a Harry Styles concert. It’s the crowds greeting a teenage Prince William in the latest (and final) installment of The Crown.
Season Six: Part Two of the hit Netflix series is all about 'Willsmania', the very real sensation that swept across the country (and the globe) back in the 90s. In case you missed it, the public opinion was unanimous: Prince William was the world's latest heart-throb.
The young Prince was swarmed during public engagements (like during the 1998 trip to Canada, portrayed in the show) and he had to deal with lots of attention during his time at university.
Granted, it wasn't the first time a British prince garnered such attention. "It's worth remembering that when Prince Charles was a young man - we forget that now - he was known as the kind of playboy prince," biographer, historian and broadcaster Sarah Gristwood tells Cosmopolitan UK.
But Prince William’s growing popularity emerged at a particularly precarious time for the monarchy, as it was still struggling to recoup its image after the tragic death of Princess Diana. Below, we break down why 'Willsmania' was so significant for the royal family.
What caused 'Willsmania?'
Willsmania refers to the increased attention Prince William was subjected to as a teenager, when girls around the world set their hearts on the young royal. His star status (solidified by his good looks, title, and famous parents) was significant to both the royal family and the public. As the world got to know the young Prince, he was seen to combine "the best qualities of both of his parents", according to Gristwood, who noted this perception sprung up early on.
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She explains, "Every time the boys did anything kind of touchy feely, anything that was a bit unusual or radical for the royals it was seen as being Diana's influence still at work, still changing for the better the closed world of palace circles."
It's an enduring perception that lasted for many years, according to the historian. "I think there was and is a sense, or was until very recently, that it was Diana's sons who would be thrusting the monarchy into the 21st century. I think there was then a kind of feeling that that was William's job, and to a lesser degree Harry's, that Charles would only be playing catch-up," says Gristwood (though she believes such a perception "was in many ways unfair to King Charles," citing his environmental campaigns and approach to change).
What did the royal family think about Willsmania?
William's popularity would have been evident to the royal family from the get-go. In The Crown, William himself is aware of "speculation about how the monarchy, in order to stay popular and relevant, should skip a generation in favour of me" - an idea the Queen and William agree is nonsense in the series. Nonetheless, the idea of his father abdicating continues to trouble the young Prince, who says such attitudes affect how people act toward him.
If you're wondering what the royal family made of William's popularity (then or now), his continued presence at the heart of the family - now as a senior working royal - all points to a harmonious relationship wherein his PR wins are seen as wins for the family.
The calls for King Charles to stand aside (letting Prince William become King instead) have continued to follow the royals to this day, with a recent poll suggesting 1 in 5 Brits believe Charles should do exactly that and relinquish his throne after a few years, even if he is healthy enough to continue serving.
As for whether or not that'd ever actually happen, given the late Queen's position on abdicating was clear (she never stepped down from the throne and instead served her country until the day of her death aged 96), it seems unlikely. But hey, this is the royals we're talking about... so anything could happen!
Amber O’Connor is Cosmopolitan UK’s former junior features writer, who covers everything from breaking news, women’s safety and real life features to fitness, travel, and cultural trends. She works on first-person features, reports, and long reads, plus the hottest stories of the day (if you want to know about the latest wellness craze or TikTok trends, she’s your girl). Amber has previously worked as a reporter and a lifestyle writer, with her work appearing in numerous publications, including The Mirror, Red Magazine, Evening Standard, Indy100, and Yahoo News. When she’s not working her way through her TBR list, Amber loves dancing, running, and going on adventures with her dog.
