A head injury that Prince William suffered in his childhood is being revisited online as fans compare his younger appearance with the way he looks today.
The health scare is said to have marked a painful turning point in his parents’ already troubled marriage, as Princess Diana was reportedly shaken by the accident while then-Prince Charles continued with his royal engagements.
Fans Revisit Prince William’s Head Scar
A comparison between William’s much younger appearance and his current look has sparked online chatter about the head injury he suffered as a child.
The photo placed a young William, then known for a full head of hair, beside a more recent image showing his now-balding look. The comparison quickly led fans to revisit several theories about his changed appearance.
One commenter pointed to a frightening accident in William’s childhood as a possible explanation.
The incident happened on June 3, 1991, when the Prince of Wales suffered a serious blow to the head while playing golf with a schoolmate at Ludgrove School. He was rushed to Berkshire Hospital before being transferred to Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Doctors later discovered that William had suffered a depressed skull fracture, which required a 75-minute emergency surgery.
The Injury Reportedly Deepened Diana And Charles’ Rift
William’s injury is said to have been a devastating moment for his parents’ already fragile marriage.
By then, the couple’s relationship was already under intense strain, with Charles’ affair with Camilla Parker Bowles widely reported and Diana increasingly at odds with the expectations placed on her within the royal family.
Visibly shaken by her son’s condition, Diana stayed by William’s side as he was taken in for surgery. Charles, however, left shortly after to attend a performance at the Royal Opera House before traveling by train to North Yorkshire for another engagement the following day.
His decision sparked public backlash at the time, although the palace maintained that he remained in contact with doctors.
For Diana, the episode reportedly reinforced her belief that Charles placed royal duty above his family, deepening her resolve to walk away from the marriage.
Diana Allegedly Felt Abandoned By Charles
Charles and Diana separated in 1992 before finalizing their divorce in 1996.
According to the Daily Mail, royal biographer Andrew Morton later claimed that Diana was not shocked by Charles’ response to William’s accident because she had grown used to his lack of emotional support.
In his 1992 biography, “Diana: Her True Story,” Morton claimed Diana confided that Charles’ decision to leave William behind at the hospital was “nothing out of the ordinary” for her. She also reportedly described William’s surgery as “one of the longest hours of her life.”
“Had this been an isolated incident, it would have been unbelievable,” a close friend of Diana’s reportedly told Morton. “She wasn’t surprised. It merely confirmed everything she thought about him and reinforced the feeling that he found it difficult to relate to the children. She got no support at all, no cuddles, no affection, nothing.”
Prince William Now Jokes About His ‘Harry Potter’ Scar
After William successfully underwent surgery and was discharged, Charles allegedly blamed Diana for making an “awful nonsense” about the severity of the injury. He reportedly claimed he did not know their son had been at risk of brain damage.
The scar from the accident remains on William’s head to this day, and he has jokingly referred to it as his “Harry Potter” scar. The Prince of Wales explained that he gave it the nickname because “it glows sometimes and some people notice it,” while at other times, no one does.
Speaking about it in 2009, William recalled how the incident unfolded.
“We were on a putting green and the next thing you know, there was a 7-iron, and it came out of nowhere and hit me in the head,” he said.
Prince William Shares Relatable Parenting Moment
William recently gave a relatable glimpse into life at home with his three children, revealing that royal mornings can be just as chaotic as anyone else’s. During a special episode of “Heart Breakfast,” the Prince of Wales joked about getting Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis ready for school.
With George already away at boarding school, William used the broadcast to send a playful message to Charlotte and Louis, telling them to be on time and not argue over the music in the car. He also shared that both children, especially Charlotte, are big Taylor Swift fans after seeing her Eras Tour.
William admitted the school run “can be” hectic, with jam sandwiches often eaten in the car and Louis leaving sticky fingerprints behind. He appeared on the show to highlight his work with the Isles of Scilly Hospital, while also reflecting on childhood memories of visiting the area with Diana and Charles.