Prince William has decided to publicly denounce the violence, harassment, and sexist behavior faced by many women in the British armed forces. In a special issue of Country Life magazine , of which he is guest editor and which will be published this Wednesday, the heir to the throne asserts that the military does not adequately guarantee the safety and respect of its female personnel. This stance is informed by a series of confidential meetings with service members who described particularly troubling behavior to him.
"We are not meeting the standards we should be meeting."
A former British Army officer, trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, and a former Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter pilot, Prince William has personal experience with the military. He now believes that the conditions under which some women serve within it are unacceptable. "We must ensure that our military culture is more open to women ," he states in the article he personally commissioned.
The Prince of Wales went on to explain his desire to help make the military an environment as welcoming, open, and professional as the one he himself experienced. "At the moment, I don't think we're meeting those standards," he acknowledged, adding that he was deeply concerned that some service members did not feel safe, respected, or valued.
Over the past year, William has met, both publicly and privately, with women of all ranks from the Army, the Royal Navy, and the Royal Air Force. These interactions have allowed him to gather their testimonies directly, far removed from the official presentations of the military hierarchy.
Women treated "like merchandise"
The testimonies gathered by the prince describe inappropriate remarks, malicious rumors targeting women who rejected sexual advances, and nighttime harassment in the barracks, particularly by intoxicated soldiers. One young female soldier even explained to him that some women were "used like merchandise . "
These statements align with the findings of a UK Ministry of Defence survey published in November 2025. According to this study, 67% of women in the regular armed forces experienced at least one instance of unsolicited sexual behavior in the previous twelve months , compared to 34% of men. This category includes sexualized comments, inappropriate gestures, and unwanted physical contact.
The survey also reveals that 32% of the women interviewed experienced unwanted touching that made them feel uncomfortable, and that 8% reported being subjected to non-consensual sexual activity. These figures are particularly worrying for an institution tasked with ensuring the country's security.
Accusations of violence and harassment within the armed forces extend beyond British borders. In France, several former soldiers from the 8th RPIMa in Castres have also denounced violence and humiliating practices within their regiment.
The suicide of a 19-year-old soldier at the heart of the scandal
The article commissioned by William notably revisits the death of Jaysley Beck, a 19-year-old Royal Artillery soldier who committed suicide in 2021 at Larkhill camp in Wiltshire.
Before her death, the young woman had been subjected to persistent and unwanted attention for several months. She had also reported a sexual assault to her superiors. The judicial inquiry into the circumstances of her death concluded that the army's failure to respond appropriately had significantly contributed to her death.
This case revealed serious failings in victim protection and the handling of reports. Jaysley Beck's mother, Leighann McCready, has since campaigned for reform of complaint procedures and the military justice system.
The British army chief acknowledges the shortcomings
In response to the testimonies he gathered, William did not limit himself to a public statement. He also met with several senior British defense officials to discuss measures to combat harassment and sexual violence. The Prince is now considering a broader, long-term initiative on this issue.
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, himself acknowledges that the institution needs to improve. "We know that the experience of women in our armed forces has not always been what it should have been ," he states. He believes it is necessary to recognize behaviors contrary to military values and to continue the changes already underway.
The British Ministry of Defence insists it wants to eliminate criminal behavior, harassment, and misogyny. Nearly 300 service members have been dismissed from the armed forces in the last three years for conduct deemed unacceptable.
William wants to change an institution he knows from the inside.
This statement marks Prince William's first such explicit public commitment to the conditions of service for women in the armed forces. Having already affirmed his desire to modernize the British monarchy and evolve certain traditions, he now wishes to influence the culture of an institution to which he remains personally attached.
The special issue of Country Life , a British magazine traditionally devoted to rural life, heritage, and society, comprises approximately 300 pages. It will be published this Wednesday, November 11, the day after revelations about the steps taken by the Prince of Wales with the military and their superiors.
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