Prince William says he plans to take the British Royal Family in a new direction when he becomes King of the United Kingdom by focusing on how they can positively impact the world, describing the policy as a "smaller r in Royal".

Known for their inherited and excessive wealth, the royals have largely remained out of political activism and simply hold their tongues and continue to serve in an ambassadorial and ceremonial role.

But the Prince of Wales, who recently handed out awards for anti-climate change initiatives, revealed this will not be the case after he ascends to the throne from the 75-year-old King Charles III.

"I'm trying to do it differently and I'm trying to do it for my generation," William said, as per Kate Mansey. "And to give you more of an understanding around it, I'm doing it with maybe a smaller 'r' in the royal, if you like.

"So it's more about impact, philanthropy, collaboration, convening and helping people. I'm also going to throw empathy in there as well because I really care about what I do.

"It helps impact people's lives and I think we could do with some more empathetic leadership around the world. So that's what I'm trying to bring, that's what Catherine is trying to bring as well."

However, some may interpret this as a low blow to the sitting monarch. King Charles is already known for his pro-green policy to the environment and he often does, and has, wielded his influence to create missions to control global warming.

For example, in the 1970s he launched the Prince's (now King's) Trust with the aim of helping other people and has become a patron of over 800 charities and organisations including across the Commonwealth, in nations such as Canada and Australia.

He also helped kick start international opposition to Romania's communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu, regarding his human rights record and began to back the FARA Foundation, which is a charity for Romanian orphans and abandoned children.