PRINCE William will be “hugely successful” as the future king if he channels the strengths of both his parents – King Charles and the late Princess Diana – claims an expert.

Royal historian and author Gareth Russell says the Prince of Wales has “very different influences” which will make him “exciting” as a monarch.

Prince William will be a 'successful' monarch if he channels the legacies of both his parents and the late Queen
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Prince William will be a ‘successful’ monarch if he channels the legacies of both his parents and the late QueenCredit: Getty

Historian Gareth Russell said William should channel the 'radical' Princess Diana's 'willingness to change'
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Historian Gareth Russell said William should channel the ‘radical’ Princess Diana’s ‘willingness to change’Credit: Getty

He added that William should blend this with the late Queen's 'enthusiasm for tradition'
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He added that William should blend this with the late Queen’s ‘enthusiasm for tradition’Credit: PA:Press Association
Speaking on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show, Gareth said it’s wrong for people to shoehorn “William as being Charles’s son” and “Harry as Diana’s son”.

The historian explained: “We sort of forget they have similarities to the other parent.

“William was immensely close to his mother and Diana was someone who was more of a radical royal compared to Elizabeth II.

“So he has these two very different influences and that I think makes them exciting as a future king.”

Gareth claims that Prince William will be “successful” if he embodies qualities from a number of Royal Family members.

He explained to The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson: “If he welds those two legacies – the willingness to change that Diana had and the enthusiasm for tradition Elizabeth II had – he could prove, I think, hugely successful as King William the fifth.”

This year has seen Prince William leading Royal Family duties, following King Charles and Kate Middleton being diagnosed with cancer.

William had temporarily cleared his diary to care for his wife Kate and their three children after she underwent abdominal surgery in January.

The Times reported that William wanted to “reassure the public” by stepping in.

All other working members of the Royal Family are understood to be continuing with public engagements in the King’s absence.

Kate pays touching tribute to Diana at the coronation – but did you spot it
The Sun understands Charles and William have become incredibly close in recent months.

The King has been regularly staying at Windsor Castle on Sunday nights to spend time with his eldest son and heir to the throne.

She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back; that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life

Prince William On Diana

In March, the Prince of Wales gave an emotional speech about Diana, and said that his mother taught him that “everyone has the potential to give something back”, as he paid tribute to her at the Diana Legacy Award.

Prince William said: “She taught me that everyone has the potential to give something back; that everyone in need deserves a supporting hand in life.

Everything you need to know about Princess Diana’s final years

After years of separation, Prince Charles and Princess Diana divorced in 1996.

In 1997, Princess Diana spent her summer in the south of France and Italy. During August, she visited Sarajevo, Bosnia, to highlight the fight against landmines.

By the end of the month, the Princess of Wales and Dodi Al-Fayed travelled to Paris together.

It was revealed that Princess Diana stayed longer than planned in Paris due to a row over her land mine campaign.

Travelling in a black Mercedes Benz, Princess Diana was involved in a car crash in the Pont de l’Alma tunnel on August 31, 1997.

The Princess of Wales died at the age of 36.

Her funeral was held on September 6, 1997. As her coffin made the journey from Kensington Palace to Westminister Abbey, Prince William and Prince Harry walked behind their late mother.

Princess Diana’s mother, Frances Shand Kydd, and sisters, Jane Fellowes and Sarah McCorquodale, also attended the funeral.

The Princess of Wales was buried at her childhood home – Althorp House

If it wasn’t for her tragic death, Princess Diana would have been 62 today.

“That legacy is something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work, as have the 50,000 young people who have received a Diana Award over the past 25 years.

“I am so proud to see this belief of my mother’s manifested in the amazing young people receiving the Legacy Award tonight.”

Millions of hearts broke worldwide as the news of Princess Diana’s death was announced in 1997, with the late royal being dubbed the “People’s Princess.”