Prince William: 'I don't want to be a royal ornament'

Prince William said today he did not want to be seen as a royal "ornament" and he is determined to improve on his parents' charitable work.

William said there was "always a good reason" to be seen shaking hands at various engagements but stressed he wanted to find his own way of doing things.

He was speaking at a charities forum aimed at helping groups collaborate on joint projects.

"There's a time and place for being an ornament as such, or shaking hands and being at an engagement and showing support in that way, but I think there's an awful lot more from actually doing stuff," he told the BBC.

In July, William climbed Helvellyn, England's third highest mountain, with a group of homeless people and said it was a challenge he enjoyed.

"I get an awful lot out of it when it works," he said. "Obviously you take a little bit of a gamble that sometimes it's not going to have the big effect you want but, even if it changes one person's view on something for the positive, then, as far as I'm concerned, it's a success."

William said he was "inspired" by the work of his parents - the Prince of Wales and the late Diana, Princess of Wales - and also the Queen.

"I've been trying to take the best bits of both of their charitable lives and trying to amalgamate them into making them even better," he said.

"Without progression you're going nowhere.

"My grandmother inspires me, obviously. Her work and her duty and the dedication she has given to herself and to the country has been very inspiring. I think she has done a fantastic job and I look up to what she does."

William said he was determined to handle royal duties in his own style.

"I wouldn't say it's a third way," he said. "I think it's just trying to find your own way. This is something that I think is different, worthwhile and, hopefully, of some benefit."

He added: "You could just turn up and open things - and don't get me wrong, there's always a good reason to do that - but it's about bringing some other things into it as well."