In a rare and reflective television appearance, Prince William opened up about a deeply challenging recent year—describing 2024 as “the hardest year I’ve ever had”—in a special episode of “The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy.”
The episode, titled “Living the Royal Life in the UK,” sees host Eugene Levy visiting the United Kingdom, where he is given a personal tour of Windsor Castle by the Prince of Wales himself.
As they walked through the castle grounds, William offered candid glimpses into his life amid mounting public and private struggles.
William Describes the Past Year
During a stop at a local pub, William reflected on the hardships of the past year while sitting across from Levy.
He acknowledged that life “is sent to test us,” and that overcoming adversity contributes to who we become.
His remarks come amid high personal stakes: in March 2024, Princess Kate publicly announced a cancer diagnosis, and in January 2025, she revealed she was in remission after undergoing chemotherapy.
Meanwhile, King Charles’ own cancer battle added further strain to the royal family’s emotional burden.
In November of 2024, William briefly discussed the challenges he was facing.
He spoke with reporters at the conclusion of a visit to Cape Town, South Africa. He reflected on the strain of balancing his royal responsibilities and family amidst the deeply personal health challenges, according to Reuters.
“Honestly, it’s been dreadful,” he said. “Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult.”
Despite the hardships, William expressed pride in his father and wife for how they’ve handled their respective diagnoses.
“I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done,” William added. “But from a personal family point of view, it’s been brutal.”
Balancing Duty & Family
The episode includes lighthearted moments, too. William jokes that with three young children at home, sleep has become “an important part” of his life.
William shares George, Charlotte, and Louis with Kate.
He also displays a dose of royal humor, telling Levy during the castle tour: “We provide this service for everyone … we do personalized tours everywhere.”
Set to premiere Oct. 3 on Apple TV+, the special will roll out additional episodes weekly through Oct. 31.
By joining Levy on his UK leg of the series, William becomes one of the more visibly intimate voices the British royal family has shared publicly in recent times.
