Prince William is set to turn rural affairs journalist - following in the footsteps of the King, Queen Camilla and David Beckham - as he takes on the guest editorship of Country Life later this year.

The Prince of Wales' upcoming stint at the glossy magazine will likely see him commenting on the importance of preserving countryside communities, a subject the royal has spoken passionately about in the past.

His father, a keen champion of rural issues, has guest edited the magazine twice, once to mark his 65th birthday in 2013, and again in 2018 when he turned 70. 

Queen Camilla also took on the role in 2022 when she turned 75 - and produced a record-breaking sell-out edition.

The most recent famous face to take the helm for an issue though was David Beckham, who appeared on the front cover in October last year. 

The ex England footballer shared snippets on his favourite countryside views as well as dishes he enjoys cooking at the family's home in the Cotswolds.

The Prince of Wales will guest edit the November 11th 2026 issue of the magazine.

A new portrait of William, who is the Duchy of Cornwall, has been released to mark the announcement and shows the prince looking pensive during a visit to the Corston Fields Farm Vineyard, close to Bath in Somerset.

The English wine estate was originally farmed by the Romans and has won plaudits for its sparkling wines.

In 2018, he told the magazine that he was keen to continue the work of his father in supporting rural issues.

William said: 'My father has always wanted the Duchy to invest in projects that support local conservation and sustainability, and that make a real and lasting contribution to the communities supported by the Duchy.'

The King appeared on the cover of Country Life last year to unveil his three-year restoration of the grounds of Sandringham. 

In 2020, the Princess Royal also masterminded a special issue to commemorate her 70th birthday.

David Beckham was invited to guest edit the magazine to celebrate its 50th anniversary. 

The footballer told the publication that he was inspired to adopt a rural lifestyle after seeing how 'modern day caveman' Guy Ritchie loved the outdoors.

He said: 'He's a modern-day caveman, who has made me fall far deeper in love with the countryside and helped me to understand it even more than I did before. 

'Sometimes we sit for hours around a fire, just the two of us, and talk late into the night. Spending time with him is one of the reasons I fell so deeply in love with the countryside.'

The Inter Miami owner set his sights on becoming a true country gent after purchasing a Cotswolds pile for £6million in December 2016.