In an interview that has hit headlines worldwide, Prince William has opened up about the pressures of family life in a candid chat with actor and TV host Eugene Levy. With journalists debating how the interview was secured, ITV’s Royal Editor Chris Ship spoke to Eugene Levy directly on his recent meeting.
The Reluctant Traveler, filmed at Windsor alongside Prince William debuted today, and shows Eugene at ease with the Prince as he asks questions about his personal life. Chris asked Levy if he was told he “couldn’t ask questions” about Prince Harry or Meghan Markle.
Levy replied: “I was not told that I couldn’t ask anything, but it wasn’t up to me to get into that. I had no interest in asking him about that because it was a very delicate issue. Certainly not up to me to get into it.”
The American Pie actor added: “I could lead the conversation to other things that would be interesting for him and for the world to hear.”
A rift between the royal brothers developed into public view in 2020 when Harry and Meghan quit their royal roles. Relations between the couples have remained strained ever since.
In another interview, CNN royal correspondent Max Foster asked Levy if he anticipated the conversation with William would become so personal.
The host asked: “He [William talks about being overwhelmed by the family stress and then you go deep. You talk about the Princess’ cancer diagnosis and how last year was the worst year of his life. Do you think he’s changed, coming out of that?”
Levy, the Schitt’s Creek co-creator and star, replied: “It changes what’s kind of important and he seemed to truly indicate that it did kind of alter his way of thinking.”
He said: “My sense is that it may be speaking toward what will happen when he becomes King and what the tone of his monarchy will be like, and it might be something, the likes of something we haven’t seen. The world hasn’t seen.”
Levy has also shared that as a Canadian, he might feel a more natural connection to the royals than some Americans, given Canada’s ties through the Commonwealth.
During the interview William also talked about his family and how his children coped when their mother was unwell.
“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.”
Prince William’s episode of The Reluctant Traveler is now streaming on Apple TV