Prince William Expresses Aspirations for Prince George’s Future Reign
Prince William aims to modernize the monarchy in the years to come, with a focus on making his son and future king, Prince George, “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 his and George’s roles as future monarchs, stating that “change is on my agenda.”
“I mean change for good,” he noted. “I embrace it and enjoy it — I don’t fear it. The exciting part for me is the possibility of implementing change. It won’t be overly radical, but I believe certain changes are necessary.”
When Levy asked his thoughts on George, now 12, one day ascending to the throne, William responded candidly.
“It’s a thought-provoking question, and a significant one,” he shared with Levy, 78, while seated in a pub. “There are numerous factors to consider. Ultimately, I want to establish a world that my son can be proud of, where the role positively impacts people’s lives. I hope we can avoid reverting to past practices that Harry and I experienced, and I’ll strive to ensure we don’t go backward.”
William’s mention of his brother, Prince Harry, is notable given their ongoing estrangement following Harry and wife Meghan Markle’s decision to step back from royal duties in 2020. They now reside in California with their children, Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4.
Despite recent tensions, William conveyed to Levy that his royal responsibilities often bring “worry or stress around family matters,” which can be overwhelming.
“When it comes to family, that’s where I start to feel overwhelmed — as I think most individuals would, because it becomes more personal, more emotional, and more disruptive,” he stated.
(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
The Prince of Wales, who shares daughter Princess Charlotte, 10, and son Prince Louis, 7, with wife Princess Kate Middleton, further elaborated on the challenges he faces as the heir to the British throne, particularly amidst the recent cancer struggles of Kate, 43, and his father, King Charles III.
“While I enjoy my role, there are aspects like media scrutiny that can make it more challenging than other jobs,” William shared with Levy. “It’s crucial that this doesn’t overstep into moments when I just need a bit of peace and quiet.”
He continued, “It’s vital to recognize the potential harm in intruding too deeply into someone’s life, something I witnessed with my parents growing up.”
Charles, 76, and Princess Diana were married from 1981 until 1996 before a widely publicized divorce. Diana tragically passed away in August 1997 at age 36 in a car accident, after which Charles married now-Queen Camilla.
William emphasized that he strives to minimize outside influence when it comes to his own family.
“Allowing external pressures to intrude can severely damage family life — something I vowed would never occur in my family,” he told Levy. “I firmly establish boundaries, and I will defend them against anyone who oversteps.”
William acknowledged the public’s fascination with the royals and accepts his responsibilities as a future king, but he isn’t focused on trying to please everyone.
“It’s not something I wake up thinking about each day,” he remarked regarding his future role as king. “For me, being authentic and genuine is what fuels me. You can label those roles as you wish, but if I’m not true to myself and my beliefs, it loses its meaning. I take my duties and responsibilities seriously, but it’s essential, as I mentioned earlier, that I don’t let them define me — I have to define them.”
