celebrity

Prince William's latest magazine cover is history making.

There’s a lot of things to love about the Royals.

If that sentence didn’t make you throw your phone/laptop/media viewing device at the wall then bear with me.

The British Royal Family consistently use their celebrity as a platform to bring social issues to a wider audience.

And this is exactly what Prince William has just done.

Just months after wife, the Duchess of Cambridge posed for the cover of British Vogue, William has appeared on the cover of gay magazine, AttitudeThe cover is history-making as it marks the first time a member of the Royal Family has been photographed for the cover of a gay publication.

“No one should be bullied for their sexuality. Don’t put up with it. Be proud of the person you are.” The Duke of Cambridge is on the cover of the next issue of @attitudemag speaking out against bullying. In early May 2016, His Royal Highness met with a group of young LGBT people convened by @attitudemag at Kensington Palace to listen to their experiences of bullying, and the mental health impacts it can have. The fight against bullying is a key priority of The Duke’s work. His Royal Highness recently established a taskforce on the prevention of cyberbullying, and is leading the Heads Together campaign on mental health and wellbeing along with The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry http://bit.ly/24Q6wYH

A photo posted by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on

ADVERTISEMENT

“No one should be bullied for their sexuality or any other reason,” William told Attitude after hosting a discussion with nine members of the LGBTQI community at Kensington Palace early last month.

The discussion, facilitated, by Attitude editor, Matthew Todd, aimed to address the experiences of homophobic, bi-phobic and transphobic bullying, and discuss the mental health implications it has on these nine delegates.

“No one should have to put up with the kind of hate that these young people have endured in their lives,” William continued.

“The young gay, lesbian and transgender individuals I met through Attitude are truly brave to speak out and to give hope to people who are going through terrible bullying right now. Their sense of strength and optimism should give us all encouragement to stand up to bullying wherever we see it.”

royal family
The Royal Family. Image via Getty.
ADVERTISEMENT

William said his advice to any young person who's been or is being bullied for their sexuality would be: "don’t put up with it – speak to a trusted adult, a friend, a teacher, Childline, Diana Award or some other service and get the help you need."

"You should be proud of the person you are and you have nothing to be ashamed of.”

Todd added,  "I am very happy that the future King of the United Kingdom agrees this [bullying] must stop and I would urge parents in particular to raise their voices in their communities to ensure that every school protects – really protects – all children.”

The cover comes at a pivotal time, just days after 49 members of the LGBTQI community lost their lives in the worst mass shooting in US history.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sent their condolences to the families of the men and women who lost their lives in the attack, writing, "Our hearts go out to all of those who have lost loved ones and to those who have been injured in this unspeakably barbaric attack. You are in our special prayers."

00:00 / ???