Prince William has revealed Queen Elizabeth II had an ‘old iPad’ – as he spoke about his late grandmother during an engagement yesterday to commemorate the third anniversary of her death.
Joined by his wife the Princess of Wales, who was a surprise addition to the schedule, Prince William was speaking as he visited the national federation of the Women’s Institute (WI) in Sunningdale, Ascot; just a 16-minute drive away from Windsor Castle, where the Duke of Sussexwas understood to have visited his grandmother’s grave yesterday.
Over tea and cake, William heard stories of the late Queen and shared some of his own memories of the time they spent together.
He even revealed that Her Majesty, who passed away in Balmoral Castle at the age of 96 on September 8, 2022, had embraced new-age technology, and owned an ‘old iPad’.
Speaking about her love of horses and racing at the nearby Ascot racecourse, William also shared the very surprising way the late monarch chose to use her Apple device.
William, 43, told a small group at the engagement: ‘I think she would have loved a few more wins. She was very upset that she couldn’t win a few more times.
‘She used to have an iPad so that she could watch all the foals being born, so wherever she was in the country she could see. She was very dedicated.’
He added that he was ‘swotting up on my racing knowledge. You’re testing my limits.’
Prince William has revealed Queen Elizabeth II had an ‘old iPad’ – as he spoke about his late grandmother during an engagement yesterday
The Queen had clearly embraced modern-age technology. Pictured here with Prince Harry
William also acknowledged that it was his grandmother’s anniversary. ‘I can’t quite believe it has been three years already,’ he said.
He said that the late Queen, who had been a member for more than 80 years, had ‘loved’ the WI.
In 2011, the Queen was reported to have ordered an iPad 2, after grandsons William and Harry introduced her to the tablet-style computer.
‘The Princes think it is hilarious. They love the fact that their gran wants an iPad and think she’s really cool,’ a source told the Sun at the time.
‘For a woman of her age, she is very switched on. It was only a matter of time before she asked someone to go and get her one.’
The Queen’s iPad was connected to CCTV at Sandringham stables, so she could watch her thoroughbred mares give birth.
David Somers, manager of the Queen’s stables, told a Countryfile special in 2018: ‘The advantage of the CCTV is that once it’s happening I can also be on the phone at the same time explaining what’s going on and talking her through the process.’
It was previously said that, in addition to her iPad, the late Queen also had a mobile phone, receiving lessons in how to use it from her grandchildren, Zara Tindall and Peter Phillips.
Kate appeared to be in good spirits as she and her husband chatted with the members of the WI today
Originally only William had planned to attend the event to mark his grandmother’s passing, but sources said Catherine was keen to join her husband to commemorate and celebrate the life of the late Queen
Her device was encrypted and was said to be ‘impossible’ to be hacked into.
According to Royale writer and royal author Brian Hoey, the Queen even had a personal account on Facebook, thought it was unknown how many ‘Friends’ she had on the social media platform.
The royal mobile was kept fully charged at all times by Angela Kelly, the Queen’s personal assistant and senior dresser.
It was an ultra-slim model with a camera, small and light enough to fit in a pocket or handbag.
It was reported that the two people Her Majesty spoke to most frequently on the phone were her daughter, Princess Anne, and her racing manager, John Warren.
In 2005, the Queen also bought an iPod, and received another as a gift from Barack Obama during a visit to London in 2009.
The Royal Family themselves have always been pioneers of technology and were among the earliest people in Britain to use a phone.
The future generation of royals is also believed to be tech savvy, with Prince William and Kate revealing their favourite emojis in 2023.
Handout photo issued by Buckingham Palace of Queen Elizabeth II tweeting on a tablet thanking everyone for their birthday messages in 2016
Queen Elizabeth II is presented with a tablet computer by John Samson, 12, during her visit to the Royal Commonwealth Society on November 14, 2012
Kate joked: ‘It depends what group, if it’s the family WhatsApp group.’
William continued: ‘I’ve been told not to pick the aubergine, so I’ve got to pick something else.’
He added: ‘It would have been the aubergine, but I’m saying now because I’ve got to be a little grown up that it’s the one with the eyes [that] go up and down, and the mouth.’
Revealing her emojis of choice, Kate said: ‘It’s got to be the heart, with then the crying emoji, the sort of like hysterical laughing when things go wrong.’
Show hosts Jordan North and Vick Hope appeared both shocked and delighted at William’s response. Jordan said: ‘He said the aubergine emoji, this is brilliant.’
Meanwhile Vick was reported as saying: ‘He knows. He’s got a dirty mind.’
Originally only William had planned to attend yesterday’s event to mark his ‘Granny’s’ passing, but sources said Catherine was keen to join her husband to commemorate and celebrate the beloved monarch.
Catherine wore a black, grey and white tartan dress from Alessandra Rich – teamed with tonal heels – and warmly greeted members as her husband, dressed in a smart suit and tie, joked with the ladies about the amount of cake waiting for them.
William and Kate smiled as they both made an appearance at the engagement in honour of Elizabeth
Their visit to Sunningdale, Berkshire, came as Prince Harry laid a wreath and flowers at the late Queen’s grave in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, meaning the royal brothers were just a 16-minute drive from each other.
The Duke of Sussex returned to the UK on Monday for the first time in five months for a four-day visit, though Meghan has stayed behind in California with their children, Archie and Lilibet.
The fact the brothers were so close but did not meet suggests that while they were united in grief, they are still worlds apart. There are, however, hopes of a royal reunion between Harry and his father, King Charles, who have not met in 19 months.
As Harry solemnly paid a private tribute to the late Queen, the Waleses were entertained at the local branch of the Women’s Institute (WI), where William said he ‘can’t quite believe it has been three years already’ since his grandmother’s death.
During their visit, William was also asked if Prince Louis, seven, is ‘a handful’. Smiling and suppressing his laughter, William replied: ‘To be honest, he’s a character, but he’s a very good boy.’
He added that his youngest son, who is known for his cheeky displays at public events, likes to ‘wind his brother and sister up’.
Perhaps more surprising is what the father of three said about his eldest child, Prince George, 12, who is second in line to the throne.
Implying that Prince Louis and ten-year-old Princess Charlotte’s older brother also has a mischievous streak, William said:’When George is behind closed doors, it’s a completely different ball game.’
The sole difference between George and Louis, according to their father, is that ‘George just knows how to behave’.
Acknowledging that there are five years between the two boys, William added that ‘Louis hasn’t learnt that yet.’
And, in a comment that parents across the world will be able to relate to, he continued: ‘They’re growing up fast.’
