Responding to reports that Prince William is a regular smoker, St James's Palace has said that Wills's experience in fact echoed that of his father. "He tried one a few years ago but he absolutely hated it. He has never tried it again since. He thinks it is a dreadful habit and is very anti-smoking," said the palace.
Wills is believed to have first taken up smoking two years ago, and is reported to have stepped up his habit during his gap year. While on a community project in South America, he was apparently wont to enjoy a leisurely ciggie with fellow expedition members around the campfire after a hard day of chores, which included mucking out the camp loos.
Buckingham Palace reacted to the reports by saying simply that it was “a personal matter”, but a smoking habit would inevitably cause concern, especially as William's great aunt, Princess Margaret, who was a 60-a-day smoker, suffered a lung cancer scare in 1985. His great grandfather, George VI, was also a heavy smoker and eventually died of lung cancer.
Despite their father’s efforts – the Prince of Wales tried a cigarette when he was just 11 and has vigorously shunned them ever since – the princes didn’t grow up in a completely smokeless zone.
Former nanny, Tiggy Pettifer, was a dedicated and heavy indulger – although Charles’s dislike for the habit was so strong he would banish her to the roof of St James’s Palace to light up. Anti-smoking pressure group ASH has also urged Wills to take care. “The real danger with teenagers is that they think they can just smoke socially and give up later. They don’t realise how addictive it is,” said spokesperson Amanda Sandford. The organisation’s director, Clive Bates, added: “Smoking is a very common form of teenage behaviour, but we shouldn’t be judgemental. It’s a slippery slope, but he’s a smart lad and I can’t imagine he wants to get hooked on nicotine and become a strong smoker.”
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Despite his athleticism - polo is just one of the many sporting activities he enjoys - William is said to have been smoking since he was 17
Photo: © Alphapress.com
While Charles has made a concerted effort to show he's on the same wavelength as his young sons, he is a fervent anti-smoker and would presumably be less than thrilled about a continued habit
