In a significant departure from royal tradition, Prince William made a public statement on Tuesday urging for an end to the war in Gaza "as soon as possible." The Prince of Wales expressed deep concern over the conflict in the Middle East, calling for more humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza and for the release of hostages.

Prince William's statement, which was approved by the British Foreign Office, was seen as echoing the sentiments expressed by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Both Prince William and the Prime Minister emphasized the need to halt the fighting in Gaza promptly to prevent further loss of civilian lives.

Despite receiving support from some quarters, including the government, Prince William faced criticism for involving himself in political matters, which is traditionally avoided by members of the royal family. Nigel Farage and Tory MP Andrew Percy voiced concerns over the Prince's departure from this customary stance.

The Prince's statement was prompted by his recent visit to aid workers from the British Red Cross in Gaza, where he witnessed firsthand the human suffering caused by the conflict. With Prince Charles taking on a more active role in the royal family due to his father's health concerns, Prince William's remarks signal a shift towards greater engagement on humanitarian issues.

As the Prince plans to continue addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and raise awareness about global antisemitism, Members of Parliament are gearing up for a vote on whether to call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Prince William's advocacy for peace and increased aid in Gaza marks a significant departure from royal protocol and underscores his growing commitment to humanitarian causes.