Prince William was the guest of Eugene Levy on the reluctant traveler - and it appears to be brilliant PR for the Royals

Prince William’s surprising appearance on the reluctant traveler with Canadian actor and comedian Eugene Levy was considered one of the most successful public relations for modern British monarchy. In the Apple TV+ episode, the Prince of Wales set aside the usual formality associated with royal interviews, but instead of choosing warmth, humor and sincere openness – a striking departure from the royal tradition. Prince William and Eugene Levy Bond about pubs, family and love unlike the polished interviews and carefully composed public statements that typically define the royal commitments, the reluctant traveler offered a refreshing candid portrait of the future king. William does not welcome Levy into a palace that is full of protocol, but in what felt like a family home, and shared personal stories and childhood memories that the monarchy saw in a way. The tone of the episode was a significant shift in royal strategy. Rather than strengthening the distance between the crown and the public, it has gripped authenticity and accessibility – two characteristics that are increasingly necessary to maintain the relevance in the modern era. Observers have suggested that it be a deliberate new direction in the way the Prince and Princess of Wales run their public image, one that recognizes the developing relationship between the monarchy and the people who serve it. Levy, known for his soft humor and sincere curiosity, was the perfect host of provoking this new, relaxed side of Prince William. His brand hots and a lack of pretend allowed the prince to open about deep personal matters, including the support of Catherine, the Princess of Wales and King Charles III by their cancer diagnoses. At one point, William even joked and asked Levy: “Get drunk with Prince William on your bucket list?” This moment of levy reflected by social media, with many viewers praising the prince’s ability to mix dignity with approachability. Palace sources later told the BBC that it was “the most open prince William ever”, an underline how carefully planned – but still of course carried out – the look. The collaboration is also a reminder of how far the royal family has come since the bad documentary royal family of 1969, which was banned Queen Elizabeth II after critics, including David Attenborough, warned that it was at risk of ‘killing the monarchy’. Six decades later, William’s effortless relationship with Levy is a more confident monarchy – one that is comfortable enough to be human, and modern enough to show it. By choosing Levy and the reluctant traveler, William finds the perfect platform to reform public perception without being calculated. What unfolded was not an interview, but a meeting between two men – one a comedy legend, the other a future king – related to humor, humor and shared humanity. In doing so, Prince William delivered perhaps the most related royal moment of the decade.