Eyebrows in Westminster this week after Prince William opted to wade into the Gaza conflict. On Tuesday, the Prince of Wales declared that ‘Too many have been killed’, adding ‘I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible’. Royals typically remain neutral on geopolitical matters so why William’s willingness to intervene?

Tory peer Stewart Jackson said the intervention was ‘ill-timed and ill-judged’ while Nigel Farage, the former Ukip leader, called it a ‘step too far’ for the future King. One theory now being put forward is by the former Labour Chancellor Ed Balls, who suggested that William could be acting on the advice of the Foreign Office.

William did just hire a new Private Secretary from the FCDO, which is headed by David Cameron – a distant relative of the late Queen Elizabeth. Balls told GMB:

This is my speculation here, I’ve got no evidence for this, I wonder if it’s the other way round. Whether the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, isn’t saying to the Palace “If you’re thinking of an intervention, this is the week to do it. Help us to ratchet up the pressure on Israel – now’s the time.”

Journalist Andrew Pierce added: ‘I’m absolutely sure that Cameron’s finger prints are all over this.’ Sounds like this one is going to run and run…

Watch Alexander Larman speak to Katy Balls about Prince William’s Gaza intervention on The Week in 60 Minutes