Unlike Past Monarchs, Prince William Isn't Going to Hide From "Emotional Problems," Says Royal Biographer
The Prince of Wales won't be sticking his head in the sand.


Prince William opened up like never before in his interview with Eugene Levy on Apple TV+'s The Reluctant Traveler. The Prince of Wales touched on everything from his thoughts on family stress to how his kids don't have cell phones, and in their wide-ranging conversation in Windsor, William shared his plans to make some of his own changes when he takes the throne one day.
"I think it’s safe to say that change is on my agenda. Change for good," he told Levy, adding, "That’s the bit that excites me—the idea of being able to bring some change." Prince William also got frank about the media intrusion he faced as a child was something he won't stand for with his own kids—and how Princess Kate and The King's cancer impacted his family, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
Speaking to People, royal author Sally Bedell Smith said that the Prince of Wales was already showing what his reign will be like—and it's a refreshingly modern update. She notes that in the past, the Royal Family would focus more on "ostriching" and "avoiding discussions of emotional problems in hopes that they would go away."
Prince William is seen with Eugene Levy in The Reluctant Traveler.
Prince William is seen with Eugene Levy in The Reluctant Traveler.
Royal biographer Andrew Morton, who famously worked with Princess Diana, told People that it was clear Prince William would be doing things his own way. "The two words ‘change’ and ‘monarchy’ don’t naturally go together," he said. "Monarchy is about continuity. To predicate your future life on the change you’re going to make to it...well, that’s a delicate mechanism."
A palace source added that at the end of the day, the Prince of Wales hopes to make the Royal Family seem less grand and "more accessible."
"Prince William’s been quite vocal about what he wants to do when the time comes," the insider added. "[To be] more accessible, more approachable."
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Kristin Contino is Marie Claire's Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She's been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III's coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family's style and what it means.
Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.
Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She's passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.