Prince William warned he's in 'dangerous territory' after statement on Gaza conflict

The prince’s message was met with controversy as the Royal Family is generally expected to remain politically neutral and stay out of politics.

In his statement The Prince said: “I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October. Too many have been killed.

“I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible. There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It’s critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released."

The prince continued: “Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home.

“Even in the darkest hour, we must not succumb to the counsel of despair. I continue to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found and I refuse to give up on that.”

Speaking on GB News, journalist and model Diana Moran said: "I don't think he should have been saying anything like this at all. I think his grandmother would have been very concerned to have heard him interfering with it."

Writer Chris Wild disagreed and said: "I love the Queen, but she's she's not here anymore. And I I think Princess Diana would have said a lot about this. And he's in his rights as a senior royal to speak about the war. Of course he is. He is a diplomat, so I disagree with what you've just said there.

"He's the perfect person to speak up right now because his voice is powerful. And what's going on over there, you know, everybody needs to be having an opinion. If anybody's voice can resonate a chord, it's his. So I think he's in his rights to say as much as he can, as a royalist, as a human being, as a father. Yes. Speak up, speak out."

Author and commentator Laura Dodsworth added: "We know all about what he wants because he he managed to use a lot of eyes in that letter, didn't he? Was very egocentric, even the very last line at the refrain. I refuse to give up on that so I'm not sure he's the perfect person to have done this at all for all the reasons you set out.

"But I'd go a bit further I said I I think really there's a feeling that he's probably been co opted a little bit by the government or the Foreign Office because it's it's a bit strange isn't it, that he comes out with this in the week that Rishi Sunak's language is hardening up a little bit so I'm not sure he's done this on his own.

"After all where's his statement about the Uyghurs who've been forcibly detained in China. I mean I missed that one. I also don't really like this Churchillian reference."

Kensington Palace previously announced that the Prince of Wales has "profound concern" about the Middle East and is set to make a rare intervention.

Throughout February, William will perform engagements to "recognise the human suffering caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East."

The statement from Kensington Palace said: "The Prince and Princess were profoundly concerned by events that unfolded in late 2023 and continue to hold all the victims, their family and friends in their hearts and minds.

"Their Royal Highnesses continue to share in the hope of a better future for all those affected."