Prince William has given a candid interview, admitting he nearly dropped out of university after his first year, but is now delighted he decided to stay on.
"It's new surroundings, new scenery and I wasn't quite sure what to expect," said the Royal undergraduate, who turns 21 in a few weeks time. "It's the same as starting school really, and I was a little uneasy. But I went home and talked to my father during the holidays and throughout that time debated about whether to come back… My father was very understanding about it and realised I had the same problems he probably had... In the end we both realised – I definitely realised – that I had to come back."
He says being so well-known made it very difficult to settle in at first, though things have since improved. "People relaxed very quickly about it and the students have been so good towards me.
"They let me get on with things to start with and realised that no one could settle in just like that. So they gave me a bit of space and it's worked - and I hope for them as well." Looking back, the heir to the throne now has little doubt that he made the right decision. "It's been brilliant," he declares. "I don't think I was homesick, I was more daunted."
His father's guidance helped him decide to see things through, and Wills joked that Charles has sometimes been less-than-impressed with his work-ethic. "My father thinks I'm the laziest person on earth. But, surprisingly, I do actually get up for lectures."
The future heir to the throne also revealed that while he shares his student accommodation with some good cooks, his own culinary skills have not improved much. "I'm absolutely useless, as my paella experience, which was filmed at Eton a while ago, proved."
And although he takes on his share of the chores, the youg royal confesses to sometimes getting rather carried away at the supermarket. "I buy lots of things and then go back to the house and see the fridge is full of all the stuff I've just bought," he admits ruefully.
William added that some of the media speculation about his lifestyle has simply been inaccurate. "Everybody thinks I drink beer, but I actually drink cider. I do think I'm a country boy at heart!"
He also revealed the time he spent in Africa, during his gap year, made a lasting impression. So much so, in fact, that it has affected his academic choices. "I'm trying to teach myself Swahili, which is something that has proved a little harder than I thought," he said. "It's because of my love of Africa. It's an odd language to learn but I wanted to do something that was very specialised. I love the people of Africa and I'd like to know more about them - and to speak to them."
And despite all the media speculation about the future King's career, Wills' only plan for the moment is to take things as they come: "I really haven't thought much about that. I'm really just concentrating on getting through the next two years. I honestly haven't thought about what I'm going to do next."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
