The Prince of Wales made a surprising confession during a television appearance last week, hinting at who his favourite royal cousin might be. William stepped out on the Graham Norton Show to discuss his Earthshot Prize ahead of the awards ceremony in India this November.
While the appearance focused mainly on his environmental work, the conversation also touched on other topics, including whether he had a dream job as a young boy. William was open about having gone through a stage of wanting to be a policeman, a subject he has discussed before.
DJ Xara Revelation
He also revealed that he once wanted to become a DJ, noting that it "didn't go very well". William said he even had a name picked out for his DJ persona: DJ Xara. He clarified that this should not be read as "Zara" but rather as "with an X".
Despite this explanation, the name sounds very similar to that of his cousin Zara Tindall, suggesting she may have inspired him. This has been interpreted as a possible hint about how close the cousins are, especially given the many other names the prince could have chosen.
Close Cousins
Royal fans may not be surprised that William could have been influenced by Zara, as the pair have always been close growing up. They are believed to be equally close now, even though William is a future king while Zara holds no royal titles and lives a comparatively ordinary life.
Speaking to The Daily Mail about their bond, royal expert Robert Jobson claimed that Zara "can tell the heir to the throne he is being pompous" and "he takes it", suggesting she helps keep her cousin grounded despite his royal role.
Enduring Bond
Royal expert Ingrid Seward previously told Hello! magazine that Zara is the "sister William never had". She said: "She has the best of both worlds. She understands what royal life is like, but she can live her life as she chooses, without the pressure faced by more senior royals."
Although William and Zara are seen together only a few times each year, usually at Royal Ascot, their warm embrace is a clear sign of their continued closeness. It is also likely they spend time together privately with their family, including at Balmoral in the summer, where the royals still gather each year.
