Prince Charles is at a crossroads with his son, Prince William as he struggles to deal with his apparent love of speed.
According to a royal expert, the Prince of Wales is torn between “molly-coddling his son and opening him up to such danger by giving him his head.”
WATCH: Prince William test-drives a motorcycle
In his book, William’s Princess: The Love Story That Will Change The Royal Family Forever, royal author Robert Jobson revealed the reality of the Duke’s love of motorbikes and how Prince Charles is handling his son’s dangerous hobby.
According to Jobson, a worried Charles “believes there is no point wrapping a young man in cotton wool, but William is no ordinary young man.”
Being his eldest child, Prince William is second in line to the throne.
“His determination to shrug off danger, to almost kick out at those who are inclined to restrict him, is both a flaw and an attribute.”
The Duke of Cambridge has been a motorbike enthusiast for some time, having passed his test at the age of 19.
His younger brother, Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, also joined him in a charity motorcycle rally across South Africa in 2008.
He was even spotted riding around London the night before his wedding to Kate Middleton.
Royal photographer James Whitaker discussed the Duke’s love of motorbikes with The Sun.
“It is a strange thing. His mother was constantly fleeing from the paparazzi, who were on motorbikes
“Now her son is using a motorbike for the same sort of reasons.”
According to the 2005 documentary Chasing the Royals, Prince William’s dangerous hobby frightened other royal family members, including Queen Elizabeth II.
“I think it frightens the life out of people at Buckingham Palace and almost certainly, the Queen too,” James Whitaker told The Sun.
The Duchess of Cambridge doesn’t share his motorbike obsession, previously admitting it “fills her with horror” when her husband goes out on his bike.
“I’m terrified. Hopefully, I’m going to keep George off it,” she said in 2015, according to The Sun.
According to Express, Prince William has reduced his time with motorbikes since the birth of Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
However, his passion for the hobby hasn’t died down entirely.
The Duke reportedly drove a Ducati motorbike to a five-a-side football game with friends in London last year.
For more royals news, pick up a copy of this month’s New Idea Royals magazine.
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