A force for change WILLIAM & KATE'S NEW DIRECTION

A raw interview reveals the Prince is not afraid to show his emotions

- Judy Kean

They know they're in a unique position that allows them to reach a global audience of millions.

And the Prince and Princess of Wales are more determined than ever to use that incredible platform to have as significant an impact as possible – even if that means baring their emotions to the world.

In the latest example of one of the Waleses demonstrating they're not afraid to show how much they care while using their powerful reach as a force for good, Prince William was in tears as he spoke to a woman who lost her husband to suicide.

The heartbreaking conversation with Rhian Mannings appears in a film to mark World Mental Health Day and while William, 41, could have asked for that part to be cut out, he didn't.

The future king looked like he was crying as he listened to Rhian talk about her husband Paul taking his own life, just days after their one-year-old son died of pneumonia.

"Sorry, it's hard to ask you questions," he explained as he reached out to hold Rhian's hand. She asked him, "Are you okay?" and consoled him with, "You've experienced loss yourself," referring to the death of his mother Princess Diana.

Choosing to show how moved he was by a topic often considered taboo is evidence of how keen William is to do things differently from previous generations of royalty, says royal correspondent Emily Ferguson.