Marie Claire Marie Claire
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Nice Talk
  • Fashion Month
  • More
    • Politics
    • Career Money
    • Health Fitness
    • Power Play
    • Travel
    • Promo Codes
    • Food Cocktails
    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Sex Love
  • Newsletter SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Marie Claire
    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!


    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    You are now subscribed

    Your newsletter sign-up was successful


    Want to add more newsletters?

    Marie Claire Daily

    Delivered daily

    Marie Claire Daily

    Get exclusive access to fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more.

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Sent weekly on Saturday

    Marie Claire Self Checkout

    Exclusive access to expert shopping and styling advice from Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire's editor-in-chief.

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Once a week

    Maire Claire Face Forward

    Insider tips and recommendations for skin, hair, makeup, nails and more from Hannah Baxter, Marie Claire's beauty director.

    Livingetc

    Once a week

    Livingetc

    Your shortcut to the now and the next in contemporary home decoration, from designing a fashion-forward kitchen to decoding color schemes, and the latest interiors trends.

    Homes amp; Gardens

    Delivered Daily

    Homes Gardens

    The ultimate interior design resource from the world's leading experts - discover inspiring decorating ideas, color scheming know-how, garden inspiration and shopping expertise.


    An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
    Trending
    • NYFW
    • Life In Plastic
    • Cari Champion
    • New Books
    • Postpartum Psychosis
    1. Celebrity
    2. Royals

    Why One Topic Is Off-Limits During Prince William's "Secret" Moments with His "Loyal Band of Friends," Per Royal Source

    "All that currently waits for him is a metaphorical straitjacket."

    Amy Mackelden#039;s avatar
    By Amy Mackelden
    Published 30 May 2026 In News

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    Prince William attends an Aston Villa game
    (Image credit: Getty Images)
    • Facebook
    • X
    • Pinterest
    Share this article
    Join the conversation
    Follow us
    Add us as a preferred source on Google
    Subscribe to our newsletter

    As the future King, Prince William has a set of unusual and serious responsibilities ahead of him. However, when the Prince of Wales is alone with his friends, he reportedly attempts to relax, but one topic remains off-limits, per royal sources.

    According to the Daily Mail, Prince William's so-called "secret life" involves a number of things, "all with the loyal band of friends who have stuck by his side for years."

    A royal source told the outlet, "He's a 40-something bloke, well off, with a happy family, but all that currently waits for him is a metaphorical straitjacket and a very heavy crown." Understandably, Prince William reportedly appreciates his friends more than ever.

    Latest Videos FromMarie Claire
    Watch full video here:

    "Their meetings are infrequent but cherished," a royal source said of Prince William's friendships. "The lads are particular fans of barbecues, beer, and a lot of wine."

    William, Prince of Wales in attendance during the UEFA Europa League Final 2026 match between SC Freiburg and Aston Villa FC at Besiktas Park on May 20, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey

    "Their meetings are infrequent but cherished," a royal source said.

    (Image credit: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)

    Prince William manages to travel with his group of friends, with a royal source claiming that the royal "dons an occasional disguise" to avoid being recognized.

    You may like
    • Prince William sitting in the stands at the Commonwealth Games talking to Prince Louis and Prince George Prince William Follows in One Unexpected Royal’s Parenting Footsteps
    • Prince William on the balcony at Trooping the Colour 2026 with George, Charlotte, Louis and Princess Kate Prince William Has "Dropped Big Hints" About the Future
    • Prince William and Prince Harry walking on rocks at Balmoral Royal Butler Recalls William and Harry's Staff-Free Summertime Fun

    "During these precious off-duty moments, conversations about William's current or future roles are strictly off-limits and generally revolve around family, their children, jobs, and sport," according to the Daily Mail.

    The source also noted that Prince William "rarely lets his guard down with anyone," making his close friendships even more special.

    Marie Claire Newsletter

    Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

    By submitting your information you agree to the Terms Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

    "He is wary of getting too close to others," the insider told the outlet. "His true inner circle is very select. They have no axes to grind and know how to behave."

    Prince William cheering at an Aston Villa match

    "The lads are particular fans of barbecues, beer, and a lot of wine."

    (Image credit: Getty Images)

    William's friends have reportedly "toned down" their behavior in recent years, "so as not to draw too much attention to themselves." However, the gatherings allegedly give the future monarch plenty of "let your hair down moments."

    As the source explained, "William...can't act like this anywhere else." Luckily, it sounds as though the Prince of Wales has a solid support system.

    Explore More
    Prince William
    Amy Mackelden
    Amy Mackelden
    Social Links Navigation
    Weekend Editor

    Amy Mackelden is the weekend editor at Marie Claire, where she covers celebrity and royal family news. She was the weekend editor at Harper’s BAZAAR for three years, where she covered breaking celebrity and entertainment news, royal stories, fashion, beauty, and politics. Prior to that, she spent a year as the joint weekend editor for Marie Claire, ELLE, and Harper's BAZAAR, and two years as an entertainment writer at Bustle. Her additional bylines include Cosmopolitan, People, The Independent, HelloGiggles, Biography, Shondaland, Best Products, New Statesman, Heat, and The Guardian. Her work has been syndicated by publications including Town Country, Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Delish, Oprah Daily, Country Living, and Women's Health. Her celebrity interviews include Jennifer Aniston, Jessica Chastain, the cast of Selling Sunset, Emma Thompson, Jessica Alba, and Penn Badgley. In 2015, she delivered an academic paper at Kimposium, the world's first Kardashian conference.

    Read more
    Prince Harry looks at Prince William on the Buckingham Palace balcony as both wear military uniforms
    Royals Prince William's Stance on Prince Harry Has Changed to a "Cold War"
    By Kristin Contino
    Prince William and Prince Harry standing back to back
    Royals Prince Harry's Move Will Make it Hard for William to "Duck a Reconciliation"
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Prince William wearing sunglasses  in the stands at Wimbledon
    Royals Prince William Could Follow in One European Queen's Title-Stripping Footsteps
    By Kristin Contino
    King Charles waving in a blue suit; Prince George wearing his Eton College uniform
    Royals King Charles Could Recreate One of Queen Elizabeth's Eton Rituals
    By Kristin Contino
     
     
    Latest in Royals
    Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte with their heads together at the Commonwealth Games
    Royals Princess Charlotte Had a Special Backstage Experience Orchestrated by Mom Kate
    Prince Harry looks at Prince William on the Buckingham Palace balcony as both wear military uniforms
    Royals Prince William's Stance on Prince Harry Has Changed to a "Cold War"
     
     
    Duchess Sophie wearing a lime green dress with a purple sash
    Royals Duchess Sophie Embraces Fall's Unexpected Color Clashing Trend
    Prince Harry riding an ATV with Princess Lilibet and Prince Archie with their dog running behind
    Royals Princess Lilibet Shares One of Mom Meghan's Favorite Hobbies
     
     
    Latest in News
    Princess Kate and Princess Charlotte with their heads together at the Commonwealth Games
    Royals Princess Charlotte Had a Special Backstage Experience Orchestrated by Mom Kate
    collage of New York Fashion Week guests and celebrities wearing the statement skirt trend
    Fall fashion New York Fashion Week's Easiest Outfit Formula Starts With a Statement Skirt
     
     
    Prince Harry looks at Prince William on the Buckingham Palace balcony as both wear military uniforms
    Royals Prince William's Stance on Prince Harry Has Changed to a "Cold War"
    collage of the best celebrity looks at the 2026 Toronto Film Festival
    Celebrity Style TIFF 2026's Best-Dressed Stars Are Bringing Their Fashion A-Game to Toronto
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Marie Claire
    RSS
    • About us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Contact us
    • Advertise Online
    • Newsletter
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Careers
    Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google

    Marie Claire is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.