In a rare and remarkably candid interview, Prince William, the Prince of Wales and heir to the British throne, offered the world an unprecedented glimpse into his vision for the future monarchy and the personal challenges he has faced over a tumultuous year. The conversation, conducted with Canadian actor Eugene Levy for the Apple TV+ travel series The Reluctant Traveller, aired on October 3, 2025, and has been widely described by palace insiders and media outlets as the most open and personal interview William has ever given.
Set against the informal and historic backdrop of Windsor Castle, the episode captured William in settings far removed from the usual royal pomp—walking his family dog Orla, enjoying a pint of sweet cider in a local pub, and even arriving on an electric scooter he uses to navigate the castle grounds. This relaxed atmosphere allowed for a conversation that was as revealing as it was relatable, with William discussing everything from royal tradition to the everyday realities of family life.
When Levy asked about his future role as king and whether the monarchy would shift direction under his leadership, William replied with striking clarity: "I think it's safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good, and I embrace that and I enjoy that change. I don't fear it, that's the bit that excites me—the idea of being able to bring some change. Not overly radical, but changes that I think need to happen." According to BBC, this statement was seen as William's most direct public acknowledgment yet that the monarchy under his reign will look different, though not unrecognizably so.
William was careful to stress that he is not seeking to upend centuries of royal tradition. Instead, he sees the need for thoughtful evolution. "I think it's very important that tradition stays, and tradition has a huge part in all of this, but there's also points where you look at tradition and go, is that still fit for purpose today? Is that still the right thing to do? Are we still doing and having the most impact we could be having?" he reflected, as reported by NBC News. This approach, he said, is about asking the right questions and ensuring the monarchy remains relevant and impactful in modern society.
Palace insiders echoed this sentiment, telling Kursiv Uzbekistan that William has no patience for the answer "because that's how we've always done it" and that his leadership of the Duchy of Cornwall already demonstrates a more hands-on, reform-driven approach. The choice to appear on Apple TV+ and to be interviewed by a Hollywood actor rather than a traditional journalist signals a deliberate shift toward greater openness and accessibility—a modern strategy for a modern royal.
But the interview was not just about institutional change. William opened up about the deeply personal challenges he and his family have faced, especially over the past year. Both his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales, and his father, King Charles, were diagnosed with cancer in 2024, a period William described as "the hardest year that I've ever had." He admitted, "Stuff to do with family overwhelms me, quite a bit. You know, worry or stress around the family side of things, that does overwhelm me quite a bit. But in terms of doing the job and things like that, I don't feel too overwhelmed by that. Not now anyway."
William spoke movingly about how the family coped with Catherine's illness, which is now in remission, and the importance of maintaining security and openness for their three children: George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7. "Everyone has their own coping mechanisms for these sorts of things, and children are constantly learning and adapting. We try to make sure we give them the security and the safety that they need. And we're a very open family, so we talk about things that bother us, and things that trouble us, but you never quite know the knock-on effects that it can have," he told Levy, as reported by NBC News. He added, "It's just important to be there for each other and to kind of reassure the children that everything is okay."
The prince also shared lighter details about his personal life. He revealed that he enjoys sweet cider, his children do not have mobile phones, and their favorite activities include football, hockey, and trampolining. He joked that his eldest son, George, "already knows more history" than he does. These admissions, coupled with the informal setting of a pub and a dog walk, painted a portrait of a royal who is both relatable and deeply engaged with family life.
William did not shy away from reflecting on the difficulties of growing up in the royal spotlight, especially in the shadow of relentless media scrutiny. Drawing on his own childhood experiences, he said, "Growing up, I saw that with my parents ... the media were so insatiable back then. And if you let that creep in, the damage it can do to your family life is something that I vowed would never happen to my family." He made a pointed reference to his brother, Prince Harry, stating, "I hope we don't go back to some of the practices in the past that Harry and I grew up in. And I'll do everything I can to make sure we don't regress in that situation." While the interview did not delve into the current state of his relationship with Harry, the acknowledgment was notable.
For William, the ultimate goal is to create a world and a monarchy of which his children—especially his eldest son and eventual heir—can be proud. "I want to create a world in which my son is proud of what we do, in a world and a job that actually does impact people's lives for the better," he said. He emphasized that, despite the challenges, "life is sent to test us as well and it definitely can be challenging at times, and being able to overcome that is what makes us who we are. I'm so proud of my wife and my father, for how they've handled all of last year. My children have managed brilliantly as well."
Reflecting on the interview, Eugene Levy told the BBC, "To me, it was just a conversation. I wasn't thinking about it in my own mind as any kind of scoop. He was telling me what his thoughts were and we were able to have a little back and forth. It was a totally surreal day for me."
The response to the interview has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commentators and royal watchers praising William's openness, humanity, and willingness to embrace change while respecting tradition. As the prince himself put it, "I don't fear it, that's the bit that excites me—the idea of being able to bring some change." With this new approach, Prince William appears ready to lead the monarchy into a future that balances the best of the past with the demands of the present.
