Prince William vows to modernise monarchy: ‘Change excites me, not fear’

Prince William has promised to bring change to the monarchy when he becomes king, describing the prospect of reform as “exciting” rather than daunting.

The Prince of Wales made the remarks during a candid conversation with Schitt’s Creek star Eugene Levy for the Apple TV+ series The Reluctant Traveller, in what palace aides have described as his most open interview to date.

“I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda,” William said. “Change for good, and I embrace that. 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.”

During a tour of Windsor Castle, the prince spoke about the challenge of balancing centuries of tradition with the need for relevance in today’s world.

“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 having the most impact we could be having? So I like to question things, is what I’m really getting at,” he explained.

The conversation also touched on personal struggles, with William admitting that family challenges often weigh heavily on him, particularly amid the health battles faced by his father, King Charles, and his wife, Catherine, Princess of Wales.

“Stuff to do with family overwhelms me, quite a bit. You know, worry or stress around the family side of things — that does overwhelm me quite a bit,” he said.

The pair were later seen walking the family dog, Orla, around the castle grounds before heading to a local pub, where William ordered a pint of cider while Levy chose Guinness.

Reflecting on parenting Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis during Catherine’s illness, William stressed the importance of openness and reassurance.

“We try to make sure we give them the security and the safety that they need. 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. So it’s just important to be there for each other and reassure the children that everything is okay.”

The interview has been widely noted for its unusually personal tone, with William offering a rare glimpse into how he views the monarchy, tradition, and the future he hopes to shape as king.