Prince William's 'tearaway tot' years revealed - from causing police to rush 'from all over' to his devious plan with King Charles's designer shoes
Like any youngster, he had some mischievous moments and some of them are frankly hilarious
The Prince of Wales was aware of his place in the line of succession from a young age and he quickly developed a sense of poise out in public. However, children will be children and when he was a toddler Prince William apparently had quite a few "normal tearaway tot" moments too.
You'd never suspect it looking at him now, but when he was a toddler the future King was famous for his "mischievous antics", according to longtime royal photographer Arthur Edwards. Writing in his memoir, Cup of Tea, Arthur?, he describes how William "kept reporters busy for a while".
One of these moments reportedly involved a pair of his father's designer shoes, as Arthur mentions, "the time he tried to flush Charles's Gucci loafers down the loo". Poor Charles!
Even back then Gucci loafers were a luxurious investment for your wardrobe and I doubt the King was thrilled when he discovered what his son had in mind for them. Thankfully, by the sounds of it, William was caught in the act…although they might still have required some cleaning.
Gucci as a brand has always been strongly associated with Princess Diana, who was frequently seen carrying their bamboo-handled totes (later re-named the Gucci Diana in her honour). It seems like King Charles also shopped there and although his luxurious loafers narrowly avoided disaster at his son's hands, William's naughtiness wasn't confined to his parents.
He also apparently kept the police and staff members on their toes during family trips to Scotland. Arthur claims, "He once had police rushing from all over Aberdeenshire when he pressed an alarm bell at Balmoral."
Meanwhile, Prince William also "caused another rumpus in the Highlands when he wrecked the Queen Mother's afternoon tea party". The photographer says that he pulled off the tablecloth "complete with china, cakes and a teapot" all set up ready.
The specific situations are undeniably royal, but getting up to mischief is typical for toddlers and his family might have been quite understanding. When he got older, though, we know the late Queen stepped in on several occasions and told him off.
Prince William himself had talked about a time when he, Peter Phillips and Zara Tindall were at Balmoral and she was almost "squashed" when the boys "managed to herd [her, driving a go-cart] into a lamppost". The lamppost came down and Queen Elizabeth came running.
He said she "came charging over" and gave him and Peter "the most almighty b*********". On another occasion when he was around eight, the Queen told him off for leaving everyone worried on a pony ride.
Princess Margaret's former Lady-in-Waiting, Lady Anne Glenconner describes hearing and seeing through a window the Queen reprimanding her grandson. In her book, Trunks & Tiaras, she reveals what Margaret had found out about the incident.
"Later that evening she reported back that apparently Prince William had been out riding with the groom and his cousins and had wheeled back from the group and returned to the castle on his own without letting anyone know," she alleges.
Both times Queen Elizabeth was acting out of concern and now he's got a family of his own, the adult Prince of Wales might appreciate this even more.
