Prince William is venturing into the realm of lifestyle content streaming by appearing on Eugene Levy’s Apple TV+ series “The Reluctant Traveler.” This move is reportedly the first step in a broader media strategy aimed at engaging audiences beyond traditional royal followers.
The Prince of Wales welcomed Eugene Levy to Windsor Castle for an episode that premiered on October 3, 2025. During the episode, Prince William shared insights into his vision for the monarchy and family life, marking what observers call his most candid interview. He talked about modernizing the institution while respecting tradition, arriving on an electric scooter and introducing Levy to the royal family’s dog, Orla.
Prince William expressed a desire to foster positive change when he becomes king, emphasizing his commitment to questioning outdated practices. “There are lots of things to think about with that,” William said on the show. “But obviously, I want to create a world in which my son is proud of what we do, a world and a job that actually does impact people’s lives for the better.”
He addressed the challenges he and his brother, Prince Harry, encountered growing up in the royal spotlight and expressed hope that his children would avoid similar difficulties. While valuing royal history and tradition, he aims to prevent the monarchy from reverting to past practices, particularly regarding media intrusion and intense scrutiny.
According to Radar Online, William’s appearance signifies more than just a television interview. One insider noted that William views lifestyle content as both a lucrative opportunity and a way to connect with audiences outside the traditional royal framework. This is seen as the first step in a broader strategy to present himself in a polished and aspirational manner.
The timing of Prince William’s move into lifestyle content has reportedly caused tension with his sister-in-law, Meghan Markle, who recently launched her own lifestyle series, “With Love, Meghan,” on Netflix. Sources indicate Meghan sees William’s move as an attempt to outshine her. One source claimed Meghan is particularly frustrated that William’s interview with Levy has been received more favorably than her content.
Meghan’s show “With Love, Meghan” did not break into Netflix’s Top 10 in its first week of release, but it later reached the 10th position with 12.6 million viewer hours over its initial full week on the platform. The show received mixed reviews, with some critics describing it as staged and dull, while a segment featuring Meghan repackaging supermarket pretzels was mocked by late-night host Jimmy Fallon.
Despite the lukewarm reception, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos has publicly defended Meghan’s influence on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast. Sarandos praised Meghan’s ability to drive consumer interest, noting that products featured in her content, including a pair of shoes and a luxury blanket, sold out worldwide after being showcased.
Sarandos described the original Harry and Meghan documentary as one of Netflix’s most-watched documentaries and successful by every measure. He emphasized that Netflix’s partnership with Meghan extends beyond traditional entertainment, as the streaming service is a passive partner in her lifestyle brand, As Ever, which sells curated home goods.
William’s choice to partner with Levy on a global streaming platform rather than a British broadcaster was reportedly intentional. Another source suggested that William aims to enter the lifestyle space without appearing to imitate others, signaling his readiness to engage with modern media on his own terms. Palace aides have described the appearance as an opportunity for William to present himself as approachable and globally relevant.
During the interview, William shared personal details about his family life, including that his children do not have mobile phones and that 2024 was the hardest year of his life due to his father, King Charles, and wife, Kate Middleton, both being diagnosed with cancer. He expressed pride in their resilience and discussed how his children have coped with the stress of their family’s health challenges.
William also noted his struggles with punctuality, mentioned having a more formal relationship with his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, when he was younger, and tries to coordinate his family’s schedule around his children’s needs. He spoke about wanting to shield his family from excessive media scrutiny and vowed not to repeat the mistakes of his parents’ divorce.
Royal insiders indicate that William understands he cannot remain on the sidelines of modern media and views lifestyle content as a form of influence he intends to harness. His approach involves shaping his own narrative and presenting himself as approachable and globally relevant, positioning him as a modern royal who can connect with audiences through carefully curated media appearances.
The contrast between William’s strategy and Meghan’s approach has created what observers describe as a new stage for the ongoing family rivalry. While Harry and Meghan have built their media empire from California, William is now stepping into similar territory from Windsor, using global streaming platforms to reach international audiences while maintaining his position within the working royal family.
The choice of Apple TV+ as William’s platform marks a departure from traditional royal media engagements with British broadcasters. The global reach of streaming services allows William to communicate directly with audiences in North America and other markets where interest in the royal family remains strong. The format also offers him greater control over his presentation, with the lifestyle content genre providing opportunities to showcase his personality and values in a more relaxed setting than formal royal events.
Netflix has renewed “With Love, Meghan” for a second season and is planning a holiday special for December 2025. The Sussexes recently signed a new first-look deal with Netflix, which industry experts have described as a downgrade from their original contract, reportedly worth $100 million. Under the new arrangement, Netflix can approve or decline new film or television projects before other platforms, though the financial terms of the revised deal have not been disclosed.
