Prince William Very Cool and Normal Guy According to Eugene Levy

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Apple TV+ isn’t usually considered the most popular streaming service. (Most people would say that’s Peacock.) But just in case anyone was wondering, the new season of The Reluctant Traveler With Eugene Levy really emphasizes what Apple TV+ is all about: a safe and predictable viewing experience. An entire episode is dedicated to an interview with Prince William. A producer gives Levy an envelope containing a handwritten invitation from William, and Levy seems genuinely surprised that this was the whole point of the episode. Even so, he shows up for the interview the next day with a long list of friendly questions, clearly intended to highlight William’s down-to-earth, slightly awkward dad persona.

Perhaps this wasn’t a meticulously planned public relations campaign designed solely to show that William is a relatable person prepared to gradually modernize the monarchy while respecting tradition! However, if that *was* the intention, would anything in this interview actually need to be different? Let’s think about it.

Eugene Levy watches William roll up to Windsor Castle on an electric scooter.

William appears incredibly uncomfortable, explains his tardiness with a story about a flat tire on his scooter, and then tells Levy, “I really enjoyed your previous movies, Eugene. The American Pie films.” Levy appreciates the compliment and doesn’t ask any further questions about the films’ comedy, mature themes, or the difference between American and British pastries. Instead, he’s quite interested in the scooter itself.

We get lots of voice-over commentary, just to keep things friendly.

“A prince riding a scooter! He’s definitely keeping up with modern trends.”
“Every childhood home has its history, but this one has a particularly interesting one.”
“Being a father myself, I understand the desire to always do what’s best for your children.”

William keeps insisting that he doesn’t know anything about Windsor’s thousand-year history.

Avoid bringing up dates with him, and definitely don’t mention Henry VIII. However, you *can* ask him to recall a memorable comment he made during a tour of Windsor Castle. A visitor had remarked how unfortunate it was that the castle was so near Heathrow Airport. William responded, “I know my history’s bad, but that’s another level.” Levy found this response incredibly amusing.

You know who was so great? Queen Elizabeth! So great.

“Do you miss your grandmother?” Levy asks William. He replies that he does, explaining they shared a very close and loving bond. She famously preferred wearing scarves to helmets when riding horses. (“That’s an image we all knew well,” Levy notes.) She was deeply upset when Windsor Castle was damaged by fire in 1992. William explains it was enjoyable to make her laugh, but only if he chose the right moment and topic, which he doesn’t want to reveal. “My grandfather was very funny. Sometimes intentionally, sometimes just by chance,” William says. “Those were good times.” Levy then adds in a voice-over: “As a grandfather, I hope my grandchildren will remember me for the laughter we shared.”

A bevy of probing questions illuminate the royal family in a new and surprisingly intimate way.

As a movie lover, I was just wondering about Queen Elizabeth – did she spend a lot of time horseback riding? I know she sat for tons of oil paintings, which got me thinking, did she even enjoy posing for them? And shifting gears a bit, I’m curious about Prince William. Did he visit Windsor Castle often growing up? Is he a big football fan, like many Brits? It’s just… that place is *so* steeped in history, does he ever feel a little overwhelmed by it all? (Apparently not, though!)

The whole thing – and reportedly, Levy wasn’t given any advance notice or preparation – feels strangely believable. It’s different from the usual chummy vibe when celebrities interview each other, and it doesn’t have the challenging energy of an interview with a seasoned journalist. It’s more like two people who’ve been forced together by their spouses, with the assurance that they have soo much in common and will instantly hit it off. Just bring up family! Surely you both enjoy family life, right?

William is prepared to be a monarch committed to change and modernity.

William explains to Levy that being too focused on the past can hinder adaptability. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining tradition, stating it’s a significant element of everything. However, he also believes it’s crucial to periodically evaluate traditions to ensure they remain relevant and useful in the present day.

William admits that while history itself doesn’t bother him, dealing with family matters can be tough. He explains it’s “more personal, more about feeling, more about … upsetting the rhythm, if you like.” Levy agrees, and the narrator adds: “I didn’t think I’d be having such a normal conversation with William, but I’m starting to see that even with all the impressive history, this castle is actually a home.” Alright, got it! Let’s move on. No need to ask any more questions.

There’s a very good dog named Orla.

Orla innocent.

Remember: bad things happen to royals too, and they are just regular people like anyone else.

At a relaxed pub in Windsor, Levy orders a Guinness but doesn’t drink any of it. William, meanwhile, orders a sweet cider and drinks about a quarter. Levy then starts asking about how everyone has been doing health-wise over the past year. “2024 was the toughest year of my life,” William shares with him. He explains that things are now “moving in a positive direction,” and Catherine is in remission, though it’s been challenging to shield his family from the intense media attention. “It’s easy to overstep boundaries and disrupt someone’s life,” William says, “and I saw that happen with my parents when I was growing up.”

At no point does it make sense for these two men to be spending this much time together.

Levy is reportedly participating because experiencing royal life was something he always wanted to do. William is supposedly there to be a gracious host, giving Levy a private tour. However, this doesn’t feel like the enjoyable travel show it aims to be. William goes through several carefully crafted moments of seeming openness without really sharing much, and while he’s fairly convincing at acting, it always feels strange to see him casually chatting with Eugene Levy about his wife’s battle with cancer.

Levy genuinely seems interested and a bit intimidated while with William, but even that modesty feels strange. This is his third season leading a travel show. He’s starred in a major sitcom, appeared in film and television for years (who could forget the American Pie films?!), and hosted both the Emmys and SNL. He’s not a member of the royal family, so you’d think he’s encountered an electric scooter before? He seems overly impressed by everything, and his amazement doesn’t feel justified. It’s clear William isn’t doing him a personal favor! This whole thing feels like a carefully planned effort to improve William’s public image. Surprisingly, it makes Levy seem even more aloof and difficult to read than William himself. At least William appears to be aware of the game they’re playing.

“The royal family has traditionally been very formal, but William is completely different,” Levy notes. “There’s a real sense of ordinariness to him that I found unexpected and quite striking!” He shares this observation while seated in St George’s Chapel, in the very same pew where Queen Elizabeth was pictured grieving after her husband’s funeral. “To be honest, he was just a lot of fun to spend time with,” Levy adds. “Perhaps you’d have to have been there to truly understand.”

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2025-10-04 00:56