Prince William Considered Policing and DJing Before Royal Path

Prince William has revealed two distinct career paths he might have pursued had he not been born into the British royal family: a police officer or a DJ.

Speaking on "The Graham Norton Show," which aired Friday, the Prince of Wales discussed his earlier aspirations. "I did want to be a policeman when I was younger, I thought I could make a good one," he told the host, adding that he found the idea "quite cool."

William also recalled a phase where he aspired to be a DJ, even adopting the moniker "DJ Xara" with an 'X'. He admitted his DJing endeavors did not progress significantly, stating he "never got that good" when asked if he ever played at school parties.

The Prince of Wales made the appearance to promote The Earthshot Prize, his environmental awards initiative. While his royal duties have largely predetermined his career, William did spend nearly eight years in the military and subsequently worked as an air ambulance pilot for two years after graduating from St. Andrew's University.

His time as an air ambulance pilot reportedly had a profound impact on him. In a letter penned for his final shift in 2017, he reflected on the emotional experiences of assisting people during critical moments, noting instances of "relief that we have given someone a fighting chance, to profound grief."

Prince Harry, William's brother, also wrote about his own non-royal career interests in his 2023 memoir, "Spare." He mentioned a desire to work at a ski resort in Lech am Arlberg or become a ski instructor or safari guide, though these were not pursued. Harry served for 10 years in the British Armed Forces, including two tours in Afghanistan, concluding his operational duties in 2015.