Politics · United Kingdom · 8 hrs ago
Prince William says military must do more to make women feel safe
Prince William says the military must become more inclusive of women.
He has met servicewomen from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force and heard accounts of misconduct, including harassment and inappropriate comments.
William says women in uniform should feel safe, respected and valued, but he believes the military is not meeting that standard.
A report found 67 per cent of servicewomen experienced sexualised behaviour in the previous year, compared with 34 per cent of men.
The story also highlights Gunner Jaysley Beck, who died by suicide at age 19 after reporting a sexual assault; an inquest found the handling of her complaint contributed to her death.
Beck’s case has intensified calls for the military to protect people who report abuse and reform its culture.
William is discussing the concerns with senior military leaders and has commissioned an article on the issue for the Country Life edition he is guest-editing, due out this week.
Prince William says military culture must become more inclusive of women and that the armed forces do not currently meet the standards he expects.
He has held meetings with servicewomen from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force to hear about their experiences.
He says he wants women in the military to feel safe, respected and valued.
The issue is highlighted in an article he commissioned for Country Life, which he is guest-editing this month.
A report cited by the Daily Mail found that 67 per cent of servicewomen experienced at least one form of sexualised behaviour in the past year.
- Who
- Prince William, who has held meetings with female service personnel.
- What
- He says the military must do more to make women feel safe, respected and valued.
- When
- He spoke out in November 2026. The meetings took place over the past year.
- Where
- The meetings involved servicewomen from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
- Why
- He says the military does not currently meet the standards of an inclusive, welcoming and professional culture.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Warrant Officer Michael Webber attacked Gunner Jaysley Beck, according to the article.
An inquest concluded that the mishandling of Beck's complaint played more than a minimal contributory part in her death.
Prince William held public and private meetings with servicewomen from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force.
Two high-ranking officers were cleared at a court martial of covering up Beck's allegation.
William spoke publicly about military culture and commissioned an article on the issue for Country Life.
- Servicewomen reporting sexualised behaviour
- 67 per cent experienced at least one form in the past year
- Men reporting sexualised behaviour
- 34 per cent experienced at least one form in the past year
- Gunner Jaysley Beck
- 19 years old when she took her own life at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire
- Warrant Officer Michael Webber
- Jailed for six months last year
- Prince William’s military service
- Seven-and-a-half years of full-time service
What people are saying
We need to ensure our military culture is more inclusive of women.
At the moment, I don't feel that we meet those standards and, as a former serving officer, I really mind it when those who wear the uniform now don't feel safe, respected or valued.
We will keep pushing for a system where those who speak out are protected, believed, and never left to face it alone.
cultural reform