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The 1990s saw a surge of teen idols, including Will Smith from “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Robbie Williams of Take That, and members of Backstreet Boys and NSYNC. However, another young heartthrob was capturing attention: Prince William, with his appealing looks, blonde hair, and charming smile. This phenomenon was dubbed “Willsmania,” and magazines worldwide featured the young prince on their covers.
The Rise of Willsmania
At only 15, Prince William was grappling with the tragic loss of his mother, Princess Diana, and was unprepared for the intense attention of screaming crowds and endless fan mail. Despite this, Prince William’s popularity continued to soar.
Public Approval
Recently, a YouGov poll indicated Prince William is the most favored living member of the Royal Family, boasting a 71% popularity rating. Royal author Tom Quinn noted in his book, “Yes, Ma’am,” that “Being a young king in waiting is rather like being a pop star.”
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- The glamour and money associated with the position can have a profound effect on individuals.
- Instances of staff members, including women, reportedly flirting with William occurred at Kensington Palace.
- Resulting in some female staff members being reassigned.
Vancouver Visit and Media Frenzy
The Netflix series “The Crown” depicts the frenzy of young women lining the streets during William’s Vancouver visit at the height of Willsmania. According to Richard Kay of the Mail, crowds of teenage girls “weeping, screaming and jostling to just catch a glimpse of their idol” were a common sight.
The Height of Teen Idol Status
William, often glancing down shyly, would smile in response to the overwhelming attention. One admirer even suggested a national holiday in the prince’s honor. Sixteen-year-old Liana Ramano exclaimed, “They should declare a national public holiday called William Day.”
During this trip, where a crowd of 5,000 girls greeted the prince, the heir to the throne was even called a ‘British Leonardo DiCaprio’.
Popstar Welcome and Embarrassment
William reportedly found the popstar welcome unsettling, a sentiment mirrored by actor Ed McVey’s portrayal in “The Crown.” According to an onlooker, “The actor played the blushing and embarrassed Prince perfectly while the girls in the crowd were going wild.”
The Purpose of the Trip
The official purpose of the trip was a private getaway for Charles, William, and Harry at the Whistler ski resort. However, before hitting the slopes, the trio spent a day in Vancouver, where thousands turned out, holding banners with slogans like “We love you William” and “I will be your Queen.”
Continued Popularity Through the Years
In 1999, Tatler magazine named the 17-year-old Prince William as the hottest date for 2000, topping the magazine’s ‘Little Black Book’.
The St. Andrews Effect
William’s decision to attend the University of St Andrews, where he met Kate Middleton, led to a significant surge in applications, marking a 44% increase compared to the prior year. This impact was particularly pronounced among young women, especially from the United States.
Meghan Markle and Royal Formality
According to author Tom Quinn, tensions arose when Meghan Markle’s warm, friendly demeanor, including hugs, made William uneasy. This allegedly fueled rumors among staff that Meghan was flirting with William, which strained the relationship between the brothers.
In the Netflix docuseries “Harry & Meghan,” Meghan noted she was unaware of the Royal Family’s formality behind closed doors, stating, “I didn’t realise that is really jarring for a lot of Brits.”
Maintaining Relevance and Status
Despite challenges, Prince William has defied the typical fate of teen idols, maintaining popularity and relevance into adulthood. Unlike many teen idols of his time, William has managed to maintain his popularity with fans flocking to catch a glimpse of the prince at royal events.
Friendship with Taylor Swift
Among his notable friendships is one with modern teen idol Taylor Swift, with whom he took a selfie before her Wembley Eras Tour concert on his 42nd birthday. He was also seen wearing a Swiftie friendship bracelet and singing along to “Shake it Off.”
Swift posted a photo featuring the prince, his children, and her boyfriend Travis Kelce, captioning it, “Happy Bday M8! London shows are off to a splendid start.”
Looking forward, fans will be eager to see what Prince William does next, always keen to catch a glimpse of their beloved royal figure.