'I take my responsibilities very seriously': Prince William hits back over accusations he is work-shy

Hitting out: William on duty as a pilot

Prince William has vigorously defended himself against accusations that he is work-shy, saying: “I take my responsibilities very seriously.”

The future king hit back at critics who have labelled him lazy, saying he had the backing of the Queen and the Prince of Wales over the way he is managing his workload.

“I take duty very seriously. I take my responsibilities very seriously,” he told the BBC.

He added: “But it’s about finding your own way at the right time and if you’re not careful duty can sort of weigh you down an awful lot at a very early age and I think you’ve got to develop into the duty role.”

He had previously shrugged off the attacks, saying dealing with such criticism was just “part of the job”.

The Duke of Cambridge speaking in an interview defended himself against accusations he is 'work-shy'

But he hardened his response in the new interview with BBC royal correspondent Nicholas Witchell — emphasising the importance he attaches to his role as an air ambulance pilot and to the time he spends with his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, and their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.

William, 33, said both his father and grandmother supported the fact that he was not yet fully engaged with royal duties, but when the time came to accept more responsibility he would be the first person to do so.

He also paid tribute to the Queen on the eve of her 90th birthday.

“I think the Queen’s duty and her service, her tolerance, her commitment to others — I think that’s all been incredibly important to me and it’s been a real guiding example of just what a good monarch could be,” he said.

Adorable: Prince George stands on foam blocks during a Royal Mail photoshoot for a stamp sheet to mark the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, along with Prince Charles and Prince William
Ranald Mackechnie/Royal Mail/PA Wire

“And it’s been incredibly insightful for me growing up, watching her leadership in that role.

“I think it’s important to grow into a role with the right characteristics and the right qualities, and I think she’s exemplified that in everything she’s done.”

Ten stamps are being released to celebrate the Queen’s birthday — four of which form part of a sheet featuring four generations of the royal family.

The image, released by the Royal Mail today, shows the Queen, Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince George in Buckingham Palace.

George stood on four foam blocks so his head was at roughly the same height as the rest of his family.

Today the Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will meet staff and view an exhibition at Windsor’s Royal Mail delivery office.

Her visit marks the 500th anniversary of the postal service.

The royal couple will then attend a ceremony to open a bandstand in the town’s Alexandra Gardens.

Queen Elizabeth II - In pictures

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The couple will be in Windsor tomorrow for the Queen’s birthday, which she will mark with a walkabout.She will also unveil a plaque marking The Queen’s Walkway, a 6.3km self-guided walking trail connecting 63 points of significance in Windsor.

In the evening the Queen, along with Prince Philip, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, will light the principal beacon in a series across the UK and around the world to mark the milestone birthday.

On Friday, American president Barack Obama and his wife Michelle Obama will join the Queen for lunch at Windsor Castle.

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