In what palace sources are calling his most candid interview to date, the Prince of Wales has indicated his intention to usher in change within the monarchy upon his ascension to the throne.
The Prince shared these insights during a conversation with actor Eugene Levy at Windsor Castle, as part of Levy’s Apple TV+ series, “The Reluctant Traveler.”
During the revealing exchange, Levy inquired about Prince William’s vision for his future role as King.
“I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda,” the Prince stated. “Change for good, and I embrace that, 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.”
The Prince’s comments were made while giving Levy a tour of Windsor Castle.
Prince William arrived to meet Levy on an electric scooter, which he said he uses to navigate the castle grounds.
He also shared his appreciation for the “American Pie” film series, in which Levy portrayed a memorable father figure.
While touring some of the castle’s most impressive rooms, Prince William also reflected on his family history.
“I think if you’re not careful, history can be a real weight and an anchor around you, and you can feel suffocated by it, and restricted by it too much.”
“And I think it’s important to live for the here and now.”
Prince William emphasized the importance of tradition but stressed his willingness to question existing practices to ensure the monarchy remains relevant.
“There are points when 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?”
“So I like to question things, is what I’m really getting at.”
The conversation also included a dog walk around the Castle with the family dog, Orla.
They discussed family, children, media intrusion, and the Prince’s support for Aston Villa.
The strain of dealing with both his father and his wife’s cancer diagnoses emerged as a recurring theme throughout their exchanges.
“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.”
The Prince took Levy to the Two Brewers pub near Windsor Castle.
Levy ordered a pint of Guinness, while Prince William opted for a pint of sweet cider.
In this informal setting, the Prince appeared relaxed, particularly when discussing his family and how his children coped with their mother’s illness.
“We try to make sure we give them the security and the safety that they need,” he told Levy.
“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.”
“And so, it’s just important to be there for each other and to kind of reassure the children that everything is okay.”
The interview did not address the current state of his relationship with Prince Harry.
However, Prince William did mention his brother when discussing his experiences growing up within the Royal Family and the intense scrutiny faced by his parents.
“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.”
Speaking to the BBC, Levy expressed his surprise at the Prince’s candor during the interview.
“To me, it was just a conversation. I wasn’t thinking about it in my own mind as any kind of scoop,” he said.
“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.”
As the Prince and Levy concluded their day together, the Prince expressed his desire to create a world his son would be proud of.
“You know 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.”
The Duke of Sussex is among seven individuals initiating legal action against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
Construction crews were observed erecting fencing in Windsor Great Park, near Cranbourne Gate, on Monday.
During her visit, she met with children displaced from their families and paid respects at a memorial dedicated to young lives lost during the war.
The Duke of Sussex has refuted media accounts of his recent meeting with his father as “false.”
King Charles’s perspectives on town planning, once deemed controversial, are now shaping contemporary development projects.