Prince William followed “Princess Diana’s playbook” as he spent time with ordinary New Yorkers during his US visit, said one royal expert.

The Prince of Wales’ willingness to get involved in local activities in New York City such as collecting oyster shells, going for a run through Central Park and meeting and greeting locals and tourists, all contributed to his popularity.

Speaking on the Daily Mail’s royal talk channel, Palace Confidential, the Daily Mail’s editor-at-large, Richard Kay, claims Prince William has shown the public he has an “open side”.

In particular, he referenced the 41-year-old’s casual jog through Central Park one morning, which he said was an act that was “straight out of Diana’s playbook”.

However, there were some areas for potential improvement as noted by Mr Kay: “One of the problems with William is that he’s not a natural on his feet. He’s slightly awkward on his feet. He’s cautious, he’s always been cautious, so is Kate, too, and he’s trying to show that there’s a more open side to him, he can be a bit more spontaneous.”

READ MORE: Prince William and Kate ‘more in sync than ever’ after ‘tough year’

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The Mail Online reported that the TV show panel members also discussed how comfortable and at ease Prince William appeared during some engagements, but how he looks less fluid during others.

Overall, they said the Prince is “still leaning” as he grows into his role.

Citing names including Earthshot supporter Mike Bloomberg and Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary general, Mr Kay said William was keen to make an impression with “powerful figures”.

For example, he was “much more comfortable” meeting Bill Gates and less so when meeting presidents such as Ecuador’s president Lasso Mendoza, where Mr Kay believes the conversation with the world leader was “stilted”.

He added: “On those occasions William doesn’t have the fluidity of his father who was so wonderful at that sort of meeting.”

Mr Kay also suggested the success of the trip was partly because he visited alone, and he could have been overshadowed by Princess Kate.

Speaking to his panellists, Mr Kay said: “The fact is it becomes less of a fashion show [if Kate is not there]… it’s more about him and what he wants to say.”

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Speaking on the royal TV channel, Daily Mail’s diary editor, Richard Eden, believes Prince William’s trip to New York was “calm”, in “stark contrast” to Prince Harry’s trip there, which was “chaos”.

Harry and Meghan’s previous trip to New York climaxed with the couple releasing a statement about a “relentless pursuit” lasting “over two hours” by paparazzi.

Richard Kay added: “William has demonstrated the weight of the British Royal Family behind you is the best way forward to announce initiatives and to raise money… William and Kate and not lining their own pockets.”

The panel members and host, Jo Elvin, also noted the differences between father and son in the way they tackle their commitment to protecting the environment.

Eden believed King Charles had a negative style “gloomy prophet” outlook when discussing environmental damage whereas the Prince of Wales captured the “can-do” spirit of the American people.

Eden added: “Prince William, by contrast, has always tried to be much more positive and it’s all about, ‘What can we do to make a difference?'”

Prince William undertook his solo trip to New York this week to announce the finalists for his Earthshot prize, award winners will have developed and contributed to innovative solutions to fight the climate crisis.

Also during his visit to the Big Apple, he highlighted an innovative project to help restore oyster reefs and visited the FDNY’s fire station to highlight the work of the city’s first responders.

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