At Windsor Castle, history and tradition surround every corner. But during a unique encounter with Canadian actor Eugene Levy, the world saw a side of Prince William rarely shown in public.
Levy, best known for his roles in American Pie and the Emmy-winning series Schitt’s Creek, was filming an episode of his Apple TV+ travel show The Reluctant Traveler when he received an invitation that even surprised him—a personal tour of Windsor Castle led by Prince William.
The meeting began in an unexpected way. William arrived on a scooter, his usual way of getting around the vast castle grounds, setting a casual and warm tone for the day. What followed was a conversation that moved far beyond polite exchanges, giving viewers an intimate look into the prince’s thoughts and feelings.
“I wouldn’t say history overwhelms me. Other things overwhelm me,” William said during filming. “History can be a weight, an anchor. If you’re too attached to the past, you can’t have flexibility. And I like a little bit of change.”
Levy pressed him further, and William replied with unusual candor: “I want to question things more.”
Inside the nearly one-thousand-year-old castle, William also reflected on his late grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. “I do miss my grandmother, and my grandfather,” he said. “There’s been quite a bit of change… Particularly being in Windsor, for me Windsor is her.”
The conversation then shifted toward family life. William admitted that royal duties are not the greatest source of pressure in his life. “Stuff to do with family overwhelms me, quite a bit,” he confessed, offering an honest glimpse into the balance between royal responsibility and personal life.
In his chat with CNN, Levy admitted the depth of the exchange surprised him. “He was putting me at ease, and made me feel so relaxed. He’s got an incredible sense of humor,” Levy said.
The subject of health struggles within the royal family was also addressed. William reflected on the challenges of 2024, when both King Charles III and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, received cancer diagnoses. He described it as “the hardest year I’ve ever had.” Levy noted that William’s openness revealed how such experiences had “changed what’s truly important” and shifted his perspective on life.
Despite the heavy topics, the meeting ended on a lighter note. Over a pint at a Windsor pub, William reflected on resilience. “Life is sent to test us,” he said. “I’m so proud of my wife and my father, for how they’ve handled all of last year. My children have managed brilliantly as well.”
Levy lifted his glass and joked, “Well, I’m hoping every other prince I run into is as nice, open, and human as you.”
For once, behind the castle walls, the monarchy appeared unmistakably human. This rare, heartfelt exchange showed Prince William not just as a royal heir but as a man facing the same pressures, challenges, and joys of family life as anyone else.
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