Prince William: Armed Forces Must Do More So Women Feel Safe in Uniform

10th November 2026

Prince William has said the armed forces are failing women, warning that too many servicewomen do not feel safe, respected or valued in uniform.

The Prince of Wales makes the comments in a special edition of Country Life magazine, which he has guest-edited and which comes out on Wednesday. He spent the past year meeting women of all ranks from the Royal Navy, the RAF and the Army, both privately and in public.

What William said

WhereCountry Life, guest-edited by the Prince of Wales

OutWednesday 11 November

Who he metServicewomen of all ranks – Navy, RAF and Army

His messageMilitary culture must be more inclusive of women

Next stepTalks with defence chiefs; a longer-term initiative being explored

In his words

“We need to ensure our military culture is more inclusive of women.”

Prince William, in Country Life

“At the moment, I don’t feel that we meet those standards and, as a former serving officer, I really mind it when those who wear the uniform now don’t feel safe, respected or valued.”

Prince William

“We know the experience of women in our Armed Forces has not always been what it should be.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, Chief of the Defence Staff

What did servicewomen tell the Prince?

Women told William about inappropriate comments, rumours being spread about those who turned down advances, and drunken late-night harassment in barracks. One junior servicewoman spoke of “women being used as commodities”.

William served in the RAF as a search and rescue helicopter pilot and trained at Sandhurst. He has held meetings with senior defence leaders and is looking at a longer-term project on the issue.

Why is this in the spotlight?

Concern about how women are treated in the forces grew after the death of Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck. The 19-year-old took her own life at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire in 2021 after months of unwanted attention, and she had reported a sexual assault. An inquest found the Army’s failure to take appropriate action contributed “more than minimally” to her death.

📬 The Energy BriefingTop news, sport and what's on in London, straight to your inbox. Free.