Prince William envisions a reformed monarchy, driven by a desire to make his son, the future king, Prince George, feel proud.
In a candid conversation with Eugene Levy during the October 3 episode of the Apple TV+ series The Reluctant Traveler, the 43-year-old Prince of Wales discussed their anticipated roles as kings, expressing that “change is on my agenda.”
“Positive change,” he explained, embracing the idea rather than fearing it. “The thought of introducing changes, not excessively radical ones, but those I believe are necessary, truly excites me.”
When reflecting on George, now 12, and his future as king, William spoke openly about the responsibilities involved.
“That’s a significant question, and one that carries a lot of weight,” he shared with the 78-year-old Levy in a pub setting. “It involves numerous considerations. Overall, my goal is to cultivate a world where my son can take pride in our actions, creating a meaningful job that positively influences people’s lives. That said, I hope we don’t revert to some of the outdated methods of the past that both Harry and I experienced, and I’ll do everything in my power to prevent that from happening.”
William’s mention of his brother Prince Harry is noteworthy, especially given that the siblings are still estranged following Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020. They currently reside in California with their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
Despite their challenging relationship, William admitted to Levy that the complexities of family life are what significantly impact him.
“When family matters come into play, that’s when I start to feel a bit overwhelmed, as I believe most individuals would, given its personal nature and the potential disruption to daily life,” he reflected.
(L-R) Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Prince Louis of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George of Wales, Princess Charlotte of Wales, and Catherine, Princess of Wales on the balcony of Buckingham Palace during Trooping The Colour 2025. Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images
William, who also has daughter Princess Charlotte, 10, and son Prince Louis, 7, with his wife Princess Kate Middleton, elaborated on the most challenging aspects of being the heir to the British throne while addressing his wife Kate’s recent health struggles and those of King Charles III.
“While I appreciate my duties, there are elements, such as media scrutiny and speculation, that can complicate this role more than others,” William remarked. “It’s vital to ensure this scrutiny doesn’t overreach and invade times when one simply seeks a little peace and solitude.”
He added, “If left unchecked, this intrusion can unravel the very fabric of someone’s life. I witnessed that with my own parents growing up.”
The marriage of Charles, 76, and Princess Diana lasted from 1981 to 1996 and concluded in a highly publicized divorce. Tragically, Diana passed away in August 1997 at the age of 36 from injuries sustained in a car accident, after which Charles wed the now-Queen Camilla.
William emphasized the importance of dampening external pressures when it comes to his family life.
“If I allow this external influence to intrude, it could severely damage my family life, something I promised not to let happen,” he remarked to Levy. “I firmly set boundaries and defend them vigorously.”
William acknowledged the public interest in the royal family, accepting the weight of his future role as king. However, he does not wake up daily focused on trying to satisfy everyone.
“This isn’t the first thing on my mind each morning,” he mentioned with respect to his future kingship. “To me, authenticity and being true to myself are paramount. If I cannot remain genuine to my beliefs and values, then interpretations of my title become meaningless. I respect my responsibilities, but I also emphasize that I must not feel owned by them; rather, I should be the one who owns them.”
