Prince Louis has a noisy new hobby.
While appearing at the Tusk Conservation Awards in London on Wednesday, November 27, Prince William told Rolling Stones bassist Ronnie Wood and ex-Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler about his 6-year-old son’s passion for music.
“My youngest is learning the drums. That’s why I spend my entire life with my fingers in my ears,” William, 42, said, according to The Telegraph.
The Prince of Wales and wife Kate Middleton share three children: Louis; Prince George, 11; and Princess Charlotte, 9.
At Wednesday’s event in the Savoy Hotel, William presented the Prince William Award for Conversation in Africa, and emphasized his commitment to the cause.
“Tonight is a reminder that our planet continues to face terrifying environmental concerns, from climate change and habitat destruction to the exploitation of natural resources and an alarming downward trend in global biodiversity,” he said. “Rainforests the size of countries are disappearing. And 1 million species are at risk of extinction, mostly due to human activity.”
Earlier this month, William traveled to Cape Town, South Africa, for his annual Earthshot Prize awards, in which five winners receive $1 million grants for their environmental work. On his final day there, the royal answered a reporter’s question about how the past year has been for him with surprising candidness. “Honestly, it’s been dreadful,” he admitted. “It’s probably been the hardest year in my life.”
William has been forced to contend with two family health crises as both his father, King Charles III, and his wife were diagnosed with cancer in early 2024.
“Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult,” he said.
A source told Us Weekly in November that the relationship between Charles, 76, and his eldest son has become more complicated as tension over William’s approaching succession builds.
“The dynamics have shifted,” the insider shared with Us, while another revealed, “Charles has wanted to be the monarch for decades. Even though he’s battling cancer, he’s not letting that get in the way of his desire to be successful on the throne or a dynamic leader.”
William, however, “is preparing behind the scenes for when his ascension happens,” noted the second source. “Like his father, he takes being a success in the royal role very seriously.”
Meanwhile, the Princess of Wales, 42, has eased herself back into the royal spotlight, attending the Festival of Remembrance on November 9 and a Remembrance Sunday memorial service at the Cenotaph on November 10.
In a revealing interview with the U.K.’s The Times published this month, William hinted that Kate will be back in action when she feels ready.
“I think, hopefully, Catherine will be doing a bit more next year,” he said. “So, we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up.”
