Royal expert reveals the real reason behind Prince William’s surprise turn as TV star – Royals – News

Prince William popped up in Eugene Levy’s travel series unexpectedly and it wasn’t just for a few minutes, it was for the entire episode, which ran 43-minutes-long.

Levy swung by Windsor Castle to have a check-in with the heir in waiting, which was kind of shocking that William agreed to it with the royals being a private bunch and their time equally precious.

It is very rare for royals to give formal interviews but with William and Levy walking and talking — around Windsor Castle and the grounds — it wasn’t all that formal, it was quite chummy.

And while it was a pleasant surprise to see Wililam play the role of TV star, and hear his tales about growing up royal, it did make us wonder why he would agree to such a thing, which is why we spoke with royal expert Pauline Maclaran, co-author of Royal Fever and professor at Royal Holloway.

Maclaran was a little surprised by the appearance but saw this as a way for William to connect with the public and “make the monarchy more accessible.”

Levy’s The Reluctant Traveler returned to Apple TV on September 19 with the fourth episode dedicated to the royal visit, entitled, Living the Royal Life in the UK.

With Levy being an actor and comedian, it wasn’t a typical interview with a journalist, which could result in the royal being grilled.

Maclaran agreed that more formal interviews can be risky, saying: “I was a little surprised, given the often disastrous consequences of the royals doing interviews!

She went over why William may have agreed to appear in the travel series and how it helps him reach the public.

She said: “I think he wants to make the monarchy seem more accessible. His interview very much emphasises the human side of the royal brand.”

She added: “This made for a very relaxed style interview, while also emphasising the tradition that William is protecting in featuring the grandeur of Windsor Castle and its environs.”

“I guess I was a little surprised at first at the relaxed nature of the interview. William seemed very comfortable with Levy and Levy was able to bring out the best in William.”

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From the outside looking in, it does make one wonder why William would agree to such a thing with Maclaran suggesting this is William preparing for the throne.

She said: “It’s paving the way for William to become King and revealing a little around how he intends to undertake this role.”

She explained: “He emphasized that he intends to bring changes, but also reassured the public these would not be too radical.”

“This was a careful balance of how he envisages a more modern monarchy but without losing some of its prized traditional elements.”