Prince William set to follow in the footsteps of King Charles and Queen Camilla with guest-editorship

Prince William has been announced as the guest editor of Country Life magazine's November 11 edition, continuing a royal tradition with the 129-year-old publication.The 43-year-old heir to the throne will use the issue to showcase his deep connection to rural Britain and his commitment to environmental conservation, it was revealed today.His edition will also highlight his campaign for better mental health provision in countryside communities.The prince joins his father the King and Queen Camilla among royals who have taken the helm of the weekly magazine celebrating English rural life.Princess Anne also served as guest editor in 2020, while Sir David Beckham became the first non-royal to edit an issue last October. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Readers can expect the special edition to feature the Prince's most treasured countryside vista, alongside his preferred recipe and artwork.William will also spotlight individuals he considers outstanding champions of rural life.Mark Hedges, the magazine's editor-in-chief, expressed his delight at securing the royal collaboration.I'm completely thrilled that the Prince of Wales has agreed to edit a very special issue of Country Life, he said.Following discussions with William last week, Hedges remarked: I was struck by what a passionate countryman he is and how much he cares about the welfare of those who manage it.The editor-in-chief added that he believes the Prince's views, concerns and hopes for the countryside's future will strike a chord with the publication's readership.The King has previously edited the magazine twice, in 2013 and 2018, to commemorate his 65th and 70th birthdays respectively.Queen Camilla's guest editorship in 2022, marking her 75th birthday, proved a remarkable commercial success.Her edition became the best-selling issue in Country Life's 129-year history, shifting almost 70,000 copies and boosting the magazine's sales for the remainder of that year.Sir David Beckham broke new ground last October when he became the inaugural non-royal guest editor, having revealed he reads every issue from cover to cover.The magazine, which has been published weekly since 1897, focuses on nature, the English countryside, rural communities and country pursuits.Last November, the King appeared on the front cover holding a shepherd's crook to mark the restoration of his Sandringham estate in Norfolk.William oversees the Duchy of Cornwall, a £1bn rural estate spanning 128,494 acres across 20 counties, which he inherited in 2022.The 700-year-old estate has become a platform for his mental health advocacy, with the Prince launching a dedicated support scheme for farmers in 2023.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter