After a recent interview by the future king, where he spoke about his mental health and failed to address his uncle’s arrest, critics slammed him for being “out of touch” in a scathing report by The Independent.

However, some royal experts came to Prince William’s defense, claiming the report was “inciting hatred towards” the monarchy.

William’s recent interview on Radio 1, where he mainly talked about his mental health, raised eyebrows, with critics suggesting he was just “out of touch,” especially as his uncle had just been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

In the interview, the prince was not asked about his uncle’s situation, nor did he bring it up himself, prompting The Independent to publish a scathing report, in which it noted that the future king did it in hopes “he could connect to a new audience.”

The author of the report, Chloe Combi, claimed that Gen A and Gen Z individuals she spoke to felt William and the rest of the senior royals were solely focused on “self-preservation” and cared little about their “subjects.”

Many internet users shared the same sentiment with The Independent, with one X user writing: “Kate and William on vacation and Charles attending a fashion show while Prince Andrew was being interrogated is not a flex. They’re just showing the world how out of touch they are.”

Another person said, “Prince William makes a surprise visit on Radio 1. Nobody listens to that program anymore, it’s dropped low in ratings, but for only people in London. Another out-of-touch royalty.”

Some supporters argued against the claim, noting that William has been getting more heat than many of the people named in the Epstein files.

“Prince William is getting more fire on the Epstein situation than ANY of those actually involved & associated institutions COMBINED. I’ve never seen more people so out of touch with reality in my life. When I point it out, I’m somehow the one called an apologist. Wild,” the X user wrote.

Some royal experts have reacted to the scathing report, insisting that the Prince of Wales is actually doing a good job and any assumption he must react to events as they occur would be “a fatally flawed tactic.”

British photographer Helena Chard expressed shock at The Independent‘s article, explaining that it was “inciting hatred” toward the monarchy in such a vulnerable time as this.

“I am shocked that ‘The Independent’ should release such a damning report. It is untrue, and I would go as far as stating it is inciting hatred towards the British Royal Family, especially as people are angry and the world seems more volatile at present,” Chard said, per Fox News Digital.

Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams also shared the same train of thought, explaining that William commenting on his uncle’s situation is a bad idea.

“The criticism that he is doing nothing comes from the totally mistaken theory that it would be a good idea for him to respond to events as they occur. This would be a fatally flawed tactic. He has put out one statement, and this was followed by a further statement from the Palace on the same day,” Fitzwilliams said.

He continued, “This also coincided with the opening day of his official visit to Saudi Arabia, which was overshadowed by the Epstein scandal. This crisis, especially if any video or film footage is found in containers owned by Epstein but reportedly not yet opened, could last for months, perhaps even years.”

Fitzwilliams noted that William and his wife Kate Middleton are popular among all age groups, but “the monarchy’s loss of support among the young will concern them enormously.”

Chard also explained that William’s priority is “his family’s wellbeing and the stability of the monarchy, ” as he continues to support King Charles amid his cancer journey.