'Behind every average man is an even better wife,' Prince William declares

By Blaise Cloran

The Prince of Wales has said that "behind every average man is an even better wife".

Prince William, who celebrated his 14th wedding anniversary with the Princess of Wales this year, laughed and agreed, "This is it!" when told by a youth club leader how important his own wife's support had been.

In an engagement at a youth club in Wales, the Prince also spoke about family life and the importance of sitting down to eat together, saying children should not be "by screens or disappearing off elsewhere".

The "youth initiative space" is aimed at young people who have faced complex life challenges, including homelessness and bullying.

At Youth Shedz's headquarters, in Mochdre, Wales, the Prince heard from children about how the project helped them overcome struggles with school and isolation.

Scott Jenkinson, 52, the founder of Youth Shedz, walked the Prince through different weekly group activities at the space, including cooking, gaming, podcasting and 3D printing.

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The Prince spoke to Mr Jenkinson and his wife, Sian, about the importance of having a strong supporting figure by your side.

"Were you there with Scott when he turned his life around? " he asked Sian, after hearing of Scott's previous challenges with homelessness and addiction.

"He has done well to turn his life around."

Sian replied: "He has, he really has."

Scott said: "With my wife behind me. You know that."

William nodded and replied: "This is it. Behind every average man there is an even better wife."

Children spoke to William about overcoming shyness and explained how groups and forums on social media can help to bridge connections.

The Prince said: "I always say, if you can start working with really good people in your community, then they will connect you and you can work your way up like that.

"You need a little bit of advice as to who to go to and when and that will help you.

"Foundations are really important. It is no good going straight up to the top."

The Prince went on to watch children using the 3D printers and asked what exactly they found difficult about school.

The Prince said: "How does school make you feel? Does it make you anxious, angry, frustrated?"

He questioned multiple times if "noise" or "too many people in a classroom" were possible causes of difficulty.

Scott Jenkinson and his wife Sian's daughter, Emily, showed the Prince a glimpse into the cooking classes Youth Shedz runs for the children after school and gave him homemade earrings for Catherine.

The Prince asked some school teachers in attendance if they ever felt "isolated" or "cut off" in this part of Wales.

They explained the power of community and the large role Youth Shedz played in this.

The Prince said: "This space is amazing. It is useful and such an important part of the community, having a space like this to go to."

Mr Jenkinson founded Youth Shedz in 2017 after struggling with a heroin addiction and experiencing homelessness in London.

Mr Jenkinson said: "My vision is to have a Youth Shedz in every town, and one in the palace, could you imagine that?"

© Telegraph Media Group Limited 2025

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