This is the third edition in the Elocution Lessons With Royals series, where I analyse Prince William's short speech in Cape Town (2024).
What Worked Well
Three elements were particularly strong: the introduction, the conclusion, and his overall presence.
What stood out to me the most was the way William approached the stage: with a measured pace and clear confidence. Many public speakers rush on, which can signal nervousness—and often amplifies it. By contrast, a calm, unhurried walk helps set the tone, giving the speaker a moment to collect their thoughts and establish presence from the outset.
That’s exactly what happened here. William began by greeting the audience in several African languages, and that was met with genuine enthusiasm. It’s a simple but powerful technique in public speaking —especially for international audiences. Taking the time to learn even a basic greeting in your audience’s languages can immediately build rapport and create a strong, memorable opening.
His commanding presence was further elevated by masterful eye contact and resonant voice projection.
William used rhetorical devices (repetition, alliteration) and the rule of three to enhance his speech:
“People dedicated their time, talent and vision”
“When they succeed - we all succeed, when they thrive - we all thrive, when they win - we all win”
He closed his speech by offering farewells in several African languages, rekindling the audience’s enthusiasm.
What He Could Have Done Differently
For most of his speech, Prince William stood with arms crossed in front of his body.
It is his signature gesture. It projects composure and restraint in informal or observational settings. It can signal thoughtfulness, control, and a certain self-assured poise. However, in the context of public speaking, the same gesture can work against the speaker’s objectives.
An arms-crossed posture is often read, consciously or not, as closed or defensive. It creates a subtle barrier between the speaker and the audience, limiting openness and connection. Open gestures, by contrast, signal confidence, transparency, and engagement. There’s also a physical limitation. A constrained posture can therefore make delivery feel less dynamic and less persuasive.
For a speaker of Prince William’s stature, whose presence already carries authority, adopting a more open stance—relaxed arms, purposeful gestures, and grounded posture—would enhance warmth and relatability without sacrificing gravitas.
The body of his speech was marked by extended, densely constructed sentences, with little use of pause. This made the delivery harder to follow and risked diminishing audience engagement over time.
In public speaking, shorter sentences combined with deliberate pauses work better. Pauses, in particular, give the audience time to absorb and reflect, ensuring that each message is fully received before moving on to the next.
Public speakers can master phrases with the app 4Ps, Power, Pitch, Pace, Pause (iOS/Android).
In my next speech, I will be analysing a speech of another member of the British Royal family.
Warmly
Olga Smith