HRH Prince William welcomed Canadian actor and storyteller Eugene Levy for a meeting that will charm hearts across continents
A day of warmth, laughter, and unexpected connection. For here, among the timeless courtyards of Windsor, the heir to the British throne, Prince William, welcomed Canadian actor and storyteller Eugene Levy, the wonderfully reluctant traveller, for a meeting that would charm hearts across continents.
Their encounter was part of Eugene’s Apple TV+ series The Reluctant Traveller, a show that celebrates the beauty of discovery through humour, humility, and human connection. True to its spirit, this meeting felt less like a royal appointment and more like a conversation between two men who, in their own ways, have learned to carry the weight of expectation with grace.
William greeted Eugene not with grandeur, but with genuine friendliness. In a gesture both modern and endearing, he even arrived on an electric scooter—Windsor’s future king with a touch of everyday charm. The two men shared a tour of Windsor Castle, where Levy marvelled at the grandeur of history while William spoke of family, duty, and change. Beneath the grandeur of the setting, there was warmth and candour.
Later, their conversation moved to a small local pub—the kind of place where stories feel natural and laughter feels easy. Over a quiet pint, Prince William spoke with honesty and depth about his personal journey. He reflected on the challenges of recent years, particularly 2024, when both his father, King Charles III, and his wife, Princess Catherine, faced serious health battles. With touching vulnerability, he admitted that it had been “the hardest year” of his life. Levy, ever gentle and empathetic, listened with the care of a friend rather than an interviewer.
When asked if he missed his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, William’s voice softened. “I do actually, yeah,” he said. “I miss my grandmother and my grandfather.” It was a moment of stillness—one that revealed the deep humanity behind the royal role.
Yet, amid such emotion, there was laughter too. When Levy joked about his “bucket list” and asked whether sharing a drink with the Prince of Wales was part of it, William grinned. “Was getting drunk with Prince William on your bucket list?” he asked, to which Levy quipped, “That’s the bucket.” The exchange was light-hearted, but it carried an unmistakable warmth—a meeting of humour and humility, royalty and realness.
Their discussion turned to the future. William spoke of the monarchy as something living—an institution that must evolve while staying true to its purpose. He spoke of wanting to be a changemaker, to shape a royal future that is modern, inclusive, and filled with empathy. His words carried hope, not grandeur; conviction, not entitlement.
This meeting, though simple, resonated far beyond Windsor. It showed the power of openness, the courage of vulnerability, and the beauty of connection across generations and nations. It was a reminder that the most meaningful encounters often happen not in the grand halls of ceremony, but over shared stories and shared humanity. And so, in this extraordinary episode of The Reluctant Traveller, the world saw something timeless and hopeful: a prince who leads with heart, and a traveller who listens with soul—both reminding us that kindness, authenticity, and laughter are the true markers of greatness.
As the day drew to a close, Eugene reflected on the experience. For a man known for his cautious curiosity about the world, he found himself deeply moved by this rare glimpse of honesty and grace. It was, as he put it, “almost impossible to top.”
On reflection and speaking of the Prince, Mr Levy said: “I was so impressed with the Prince of Wales. It was a charming few hours, that we had together. I don’t know what I expected, you know, from a Royal. The monarchy has always been so very formal, but with William, you didn’t get that at all. He’s a dad who goes to work and then comes home and you know has dinner with his kids. There’s a normalcy to it that just surprised me, it took me aback actually a little bit. He was so down to earth, very funny, very bright. Got to be honest, he was fun to hang with.”
