As the heir apparent to the British throne, Prince William is closer than ever to ascending to the crown. With his father, King Charles, now on the throne, the Prince of Wales has started to reflect on what his own reign might look like, and it seems he has big plans for change. In a candid interview on The Reluctant Traveler, a new Apple TV+ series hosted by Eugene Levy, Prince William opened up about his thoughts on the monarchy, revealing a desire to bring about meaningful, though not radical, transformations when his time comes to rule.
The British monarchy is traditionally known for its adherence to centuries-old customs and practices, but William is clear about wanting to modernize in ways that make sense for the times. “Change for good, and I embrace that, I enjoy that change,” he shared with Levy. “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.” William’s openness to change shows that while he respects history, he doesn’t want it to hinder progress. He emphasized that history should not feel like an anchor weighing him down, explaining, “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.” For William, the key is to strike a balance between honoring tradition and embracing the future, ensuring that the monarchy evolves with the times.
He also shared that he’s not afraid to challenge tradition if it no longer serves a meaningful purpose. “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?” This forward-thinking approach shows that William’s reign, when it comes, may look quite different from those before him. He expressed a desire to question the status quo, always considering whether existing practices are still effective and relevant, rather than blindly adhering to them because they’ve always been done that way.
It’s no surprise that Prince William is planning for a more modern monarchy. He and his wife, Kate Middleton, have always been known for doing things their own way, particularly when it comes to their family life. The couple has consistently broken with tradition in favor of what feels right for them, especially in the way they raise their three children, George, Charlotte, and Louis. The Prince discussed the importance of balancing his royal duties with his role as a father and husband, noting how vital it is to ensure his children feel supported and secure. “Everyone has their own coping mechanisms for these sorts of things, and children are constantly learning and adapting,” he said. “We try to make sure we give them the security and the safety that they need.”
Prince William also emphasized the importance of work-life balance, something that has often been a struggle for public figures, particularly those in the royal family. “Most days we’re in and out of school doing pick-ups and drop-offs,” he explained. Despite the weight of his royal responsibilities, William strives to prioritize family life. For him, nothing is more important than ensuring his children have a stable and happy home life. “The most important thing in my life is family, and everything is about the future and about if you don’t start the children off now with a happy, healthy, stable home, I feel you’re setting them up for a bit of a hard time and a fall.” This focus on family, and especially on the well-being of his children, has been a defining feature of William and Kate’s parenting style.
Prince William’s thoughts on his future reign reveal much about the kind of king he intends to be. He’s not interested in simply maintaining the status quo; he wants to ensure that the monarchy adapts to meet the needs of today’s world. His approach is one of modernity balanced with respect for tradition, and it’s clear that he views family, both his own and the monarchy as a whole, as central to his vision for the future.
Ultimately, Prince William’s reflections show that he is preparing for a reign that reflects his values of progress, family, and adaptation. While he acknowledges the importance of tradition, he is not afraid to challenge it when necessary. With his focus on ensuring that the royal family remains relevant and connected to the needs of the public,
Prince William is positioning himself to be a monarch who leads with both compassion and a forward-thinking mindset. As the time for him to take the throne approaches, it’s clear that his reign will likely usher in a new era for the British monarchy, one that balances the weight of history with the need for change.
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