Prince William and Kate Middleton named among TIME100's 'most influential philanthropists'
A new honour for the couple
Prince William and Kate Middleton have appeared to muscle Harry and Meghan Markle out of their spot on the TIME100 list.
TIME magazine has named the Prince and Princess of Wales on the “Most Influential people in Philanthropy” list of 2025.
William and Kate honoured in TIME100 list in new ‘blow’ to Harry and Meghan
Prince William and Kate have been honoured due to their new approach to royal philanthropy.
Named yesterday, May 20, TIME has shared this year’s list of “the 100 most influential people shaping the future of giving at a pivotal moment”.
“Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, are less concerned with cultural preservation and more attuned to social issues, tackling homelessness and rural mental health through their Royal Foundation and spotlight innovative solutions to climate change through the Earthshot Prize,” explains TIME reporter Harry Booth.
The couple are working to tackle an array of issues from homelessness to environmental causes as well as Princess Kate’s focus on early years education.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are also providing support to many mental health-related causes.
Prince William’s approach to the modern monarchy
Previously, the couple have highlighted how they hope to modernise the monarchy when their time comes.
“I can only describe what I’m trying to do, and that’s I’m trying to do it differently and I’m trying to do it for my generation,” Prince William explained to the BBC in November 2024.
“And to give you more of an understanding around it, I’m doing it with maybe a smaller ‘R’ in the ‘royal,’ if you like. That’s maybe a better way of saying it.”
He went on to say: “It’s more about impact philanthropy, collaboration, convening, and helping people.
“And I’m also going to throw empathy in there as well.”
Meanwhile, he added: “Because I really care about what I do. It helps impact people’s lives. And I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world.”
Harry and Meghan not mentioned on TIME100’s 2025 honour list
William and Kate’s joint honour comes after Harry and Meghan were named amongst TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World issue in 2021.
The couple famously appeared on the front cover of the magazine. At the time, their honour was overshadowed by online trolls.
They criticised Harry and Meghan’s cover shoot, claiming Harry was in the shadow of his wife.
Evidently, they are notably absent from the list.
Amid those honoured this year are big names like Ed Sheeran, Snoop Dogg, Demi Moore, Keir Starmer and Donald Trump.
Meanwhile, the philanthropy list boasts names like David Beckham, Oprah Winfrey and Dolly Parton.
Read more: Kate Middleton’s ‘nod’ to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry at palace garden party spotted by fans
