Prince William has responded to claims he is 'work-shy', saying that receiving criticism is "part of the job". The Duke of Cambridge refused to make further comment when he was repeatedly asked if he was frustrated by criticism over his workload.
Prince William shrugged off claims that he is work shy
In an interview with ITV's Mark Austin, the Prince was asked if he found it annoying that his work was being questioned, however, he would not give a more detailed answer.
William only said: "Today is more about talking about the poaching crisis." The interview, recorded last week in Kensington Palace and aired on Tuesday evening, was primarily about the illegal wildlife trade, a cause which is close to his heart.
The Prince went up a 220ft crane
The royal revealed that he hoped his children would grow up to share his passion for protecting endangered species in future, joking that Prince George could become a conservation "bum".
William said: "I’d definitely like to see George and Charlotte in Africa, they'd have a wonderful time and I can see George being a bit of a bum sometimes out in the conservation world with his bangles and his sandals.
The royal is campaigning to stop poachers
"But I think I’d love them to be interested in the subject and pursue the same sort of ideas and aims that I am."
The 33-year-old has had a busy week, taking his campaign to stop poachers to a higher level – posing for pictures at the top of a 220ft crane. William went up in a crane used for unloading ships' cargo to highlight how illegal wildlife products such as ivory are easily smuggled via the shipping industry.
Prince William's United for Wildlife organisation has brought together 40 transport, customs and wildlife agencies and corporations to sign the Buckingham Palace Declaration – an 11-point commitment to stopping ivory and other items being smuggled via the transport industry.
And he described the treaty, signed on Tuesday at the Queen's official London home, as a "game changer in the race against extinction."