Prince William will appear on the Prince William Country Life cover when Country Life publishes a 300-page special issue next Wednesday, November 11. He spent the past six months working on the edition, which will also carry more personal details from his life.
The issue puts a royal guest editor on a magazine cover that usually carries countryside subjects, but this one adds a more personal layer. William said he sometimes visits a pub for a pint of cider with ice, giving readers a small detail beyond his public role.
Windsor draft review
Last month, William met Mark Hedges and Paula Minchin at Windsor to preview the draft and examine the proofs and layout. That meeting shows the work had already moved beyond ideas and into production before publication.
Mark Hedges described him as a "passionate countryman" when the role was announced in June. The Kensington Palace spokesperson also said, "The Prince of Wales has a long-standing passion for the countryside and the vital role it plays in the nation’s life, culture and wellbeing."
Royal guest editors before William
William is following a pattern already set by King Charles, Queen Camilla and the Princess Royal. King Charles guest-edited Country Life for his 65th birthday in 2013 and again for his 70th birthday in 2018, while Queen Camilla guest-edited it in 2022 for her 75th birthday.
Queen Camilla's issue became the biggest-selling issue of all time, and its front cover was taken by the now-Princess of Wales. William's edition extends that same template, but with a stronger focus on his own views and routine rather than only the formal royal role.
Country Life on November 11
The next step is simple: Country Life goes to readers on Wednesday, November 11. The unanswered part is which of William's personal stories and chosen features will fill the 300 pages, but the magazine has already made clear that this special issue will go beyond a standard guest editorship.
