Prince William Says Military Must Do More to Make Women Feel Safe and Respected

Prince William has spoken about a confidential effort to improve the experiences of women serving in the Armed Forces, saying military culture still falls short of the standards he wants to see. The Prince of Wales shared his concerns in a feature for Country Life magazine, where he guest-edited a special issue published on Wednesday. According to the article, William spent the past year meeting servicewomen from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF, including personnel of different ranks. He reportedly listened to accounts of inappropriate remarks, rumours aimed at women who rejected advances and harassment by intoxicated personnel in barracks. One junior servicewoman described women being treated as “commodities”. The prince said the military needs to become more inclusive and that he wants to help make it a welcoming and professional environment for everyone. He added that it troubled him, as a former serving officer, that some people in uniform do not feel safe, respected or valued. William trained at Sandhurst and later served as an RAF search and rescue pilot. The magazine feature also said he had brought together senior defence figures to discuss the concerns and assess what action is being taken. William is considering a wider, longer-term initiative, the report said, although details have not been announced. The article opened by referring to Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, who died by suicide at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire in 2021. According to the report, Beck had experienced months of unwanted attention and had reported a sexual assault. William’s meetings and his public comments now put the treatment of women in the military firmly in the spotlight, while his proposed next steps remain under consideration.