Form 7

PRINCE WILLIAM: THE PERFECT PRINCE

        On the 21st of June 1982, Prince William Arthur Philip Louis Windsor was born in London. He is the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Prince William is second in line to the throne after his father, Prince Charles. He is the most popular prince of the XXI century.

        Being a prince is not as easy as it may seem. Being a future king is even more difficult. The British royal family has a long history. Britain has seen both successful and unsuccessful rulers. Now, there are a lot of people in Britain who believe that Britain should get rid of the royal family. One of the main reasons is that having a monarchy is very expensive. In Britain, most royal ceremonies, accommodation and expenses are paid for by the taxpayer. A series of royal scandals have also damaged the reputation of the royal family. One of them is the divorce of William’s parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana. It made many people think that the days of the British royal family are over.

        Many people believe that Prince William is the only person who can save the situation. His mother, princess Diana was deeply loved and admired both in Britain and abroad. Since her tragical death British people have been desperate for a new hero. William, has good looks, so like his mother’s. He has her smile, charm and a great sense of humour. That’s why he seems the only possible candidate. William also has his grandmother’s strength of character and determination. This is why William often called ‘the perfect prince’ by the media.

        However, William faces a lot of challenges in his life. To start with, he does not like seeing his name in the newspapers. All his life William has been avoiding media attention as much as possible. So far, William has not done anything that journalists could make into a scandal. Finding a girlfriend is not easy either. William knows that the minute he is seen with a girl, the whole world will know about it. William also needs to find something to do with his life until he becomes King. He might wait for about forty years before he may become a King. At the moment, he is studying History of Art at St Andrews University in Scotland. It is already clear that William will have to work hard to organize his life.

READING-COMPREHENSION TEST

1. Underline the names you’ve heard in the text

William, George, Diana, Harry, Daniel, Charles.

2. Mark sentences as “True” or “False”

1. Prince William’s turn to be King is after his father.
2. All British kings were successful rulers.
3. Having a monarchy is cheap.
4. Finding a girl is difficult for William.

3. Fill in the missing part of the sentence

1. Very few people have seriously thought that ...

1. Britain might ever stop being a monarchy.
2. William would want to be a king.
3. Britain had unsuccessful rulers.

2. In Britain, ... are paid for by the taxpayer.

1. all royal entertainments, and living expenses
2. many royal processions and festivals
3. most royal ceremonies, accommodation and expenses

3. ... that William will have to work hard to organize his life.

1. It is great
2. It is already clear
3. The British don’t think

4. Whatever truth, it is clear that William will have to ...

1. wait until his father inherits the throne.
2. work hard to organize his life.
3. find a noble girlfriend

4. Answer the questions

1. What scandal damaged the reputation of the royal family?
2. Since when have the British people been desperate for a new hero?
3. What does Prince William look like?
4. What challenges does William face in his life?

5. What traits of character, according to the text, make William the “Perfect Prince”?