By Eniola Amadu
The Prince of Wales, Williams, has said he intends to bring change to the monarchy when he becomes king, in what palace sources have described as his most candid interview to date.
Speaking to actor Eugene Levy for the Apple TV+ programme The Reluctant Traveller, Prince William said he viewed change as central to his future role.
“I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda,” he said. “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 interview, filmed in Windsor, saw the Prince welcome Levy with a tour of Windsor Castle, arriving on an electric scooter that he said he often used to travel around the grounds.
The pair discussed family, history, tradition, media scrutiny, and the strain of dealing with both King Charles and the Princess of Wales undergoing treatment for cancer.
Reflecting on the monarchy’s past, Prince William acknowledged the weight of history but argued that relevance should guide the institution.
“History can be a real weight and an anchor around you… I think it’s important to live for the here and now,” he said.
While stressing the importance of tradition, he added: “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 having the most impact we could be having? So I like to question things, is what I’m really getting at.”
The discussion also touched on family life. Walking with Levy and the family dog Orla, Prince William said he prioritised openness with his children, particularly during periods when their mother was unwell.
“We try to make sure we give them the security and the safety that they need,” he said. “We’re a very open family, so we talk about things that bother us… it’s just important to be there for each other and to reassure the children that everything is okay.”
Later, at a nearby pub, Prince William spoke of how family concerns could at times be overwhelming. He praised the resilience of his wife, his father and his children, saying he was “so proud” of how they had coped in the past year.
The Prince did not discuss relations with the Duke of Sussex, though he referenced his brother when reflecting on their childhood.
“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,” he said.
Levy described the exchange as unexpectedly forthright. “To me, it was just a conversation,” he told the BBC. “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.”
