I have huge sympathy for Prince William. He was born into a

Listen, children, and take to heart the words of Penny Junor: "I have huge sympathy for Prince William. He was born into a deeply unenviable life that most of us would abhor, and what's more, he lost his mother at an early age." These words speak not only to the burden of being born into royalty but to the deep humanity that lies beneath the gilded surface of titles and crowns. Prince William, born into the British royal family, may seem to live a life of privilege, but in truth, his life has been shaped by the weight of expectations and the scars of a loss that many could not fathom—the death of his mother, Princess Diana.

Consider, children, the ancient kings and heroes of legend, who were often born into lives of immense responsibility, yet with that responsibility came a heavy price. Take, for instance, King Arthur, who was born to lead a kingdom, not by choice, but by destiny. The moment he pulled the sword from the stone, he bore the weight of an entire nation on his shoulders. Like Prince William, Arthur was born into a life that demanded much, and his journey was marked by the burden of duty, not freedom. In this, we see that greatness often comes with a price—one that may exhaust the spirit and bring great personal suffering.

The death of Princess Diana was a defining moment in William's life, one that placed him in the spotlight of the world’s scrutiny at an age when he should have been allowed to grieve in peace. Penny Junor speaks to this with deep empathy, acknowledging that William’s life, though filled with the luxuries of royalty, was one marked by tragedy. A child losing their mother is a wound that does not heal quickly, nor does it fade with time. Like Achilles, whose mother, Thetis, tried to shield him from the dangers of life, William's loss was one of deep emotional turmoil, despite the external appearances of his life. His royalty could not shield him from the pain that only a child who has lost their mother can understand.

In the annals of history, we see many examples of those who were born into roles of great responsibility and yet struggled with the humanity of their condition. Consider the tale of Alexander the Great, a warrior whose father, King Philip, pushed him from an early age to conquer and expand the Macedonian empire. Alexander, though a conqueror of immense skill, was often troubled by the burden of his destiny and the relentless expectations placed upon him. His own father’s death left Alexander with a heavy heart and a kingdom to rule, much like Prince William, whose mother’s death created a void that would shape the man he would become. In both cases, the weight of destiny and loss shaped these young men into figures that history would never forget.

The lesson here, children, is that we must look beyond the outward appearances of those in positions of power, whether they are kings, queens, or royalty. While it is easy to assume that they live lives of ease and privilege, we must remember that greatness often comes with the cost of sacrifice and pain. Prince William, though born into wealth and title, has faced struggles that many cannot imagine. He has navigated the public’s gaze, and carried the weight of both his family’s legacy and the personal pain of losing his mother. Through this, we see that the strength of a person is not defined by what they inherit, but by how they endure the trials of life, with grace and compassion.

Children, when you face struggles, do not let them define you by their weight alone. Sympathy for others, especially those in positions of power, reminds us that suffering is not exclusive to any one group. The life of a king or queen, though often filled with luxuries, may also be filled with the burden of duty and the emotional toll of leadership. Just as Prince William carries the legacy of his mother’s tragic death, so too must we carry the lessons of loss, not as burdens, but as opportunities for growth. Through these trials, we become more compassionate and resilient.

And so, children, the true measure of a person is not in their outward status or appearance, but in how they handle the storms of life. Whether born into privilege or humble beginnings, each of us will face the trials of the human experience. Let sympathy guide you, but let it also be tempered with the understanding that no one, no matter their position, is free from suffering. Just as Prince William has navigated the delicate balance of duty and personal loss, so too must you, in your own journey, find the strength to face the trials that will shape you. Let those challenges not break you, but forge you into a person of wisdom, compassion, and grace.