Prince William says 2024 was the hardest year he’s ever had in rare TV interview

Prince William says 2024 was the hardest year he’s ever had in a rare TV interview promoting The Reluctant Traveler, a program hosted by Eugene Levy. In a preview for a special episode titled Living the Royal Life in the UK, the heir to the throne sits down with Levy for a conversation about life inside the royal family as it has grappled with public health events and personal trials. The episode is set to air Oct. 3 on Apple TV+, and it features William giving Levy a behind-the-scenes look at Windsor and the responsibilities that come with royal duty.

William points to a year marked by high-profile health events within the family, including Kate Middleton’s cancer diagnosis in 2024 and her January remission after chemotherapy. Buckingham Palace publicly announced King Charles’s cancer diagnosis in February 2024, though the palace did not specify the cancer type or treatment plan. A Reuters recap from November describes William reflecting on the year as dreadful and the hardest he’s faced as he tried to keep family matters on track amid intense public attention.

In the clip, William gives Levy a personal tour of Windsor Castle, quipping about how the royals provide personalized tours to visitors. The future king is shown walking the grounds with his black cocker spaniel, Orla. Levy asks what William does in his downtime, and William notes that sleep is an important resource when one is raising three young children.

William and Middleton have three children: Prince George, 12; Princess Charlotte, 10; and Prince Louis, 7. The episode Living the Royal Life in the UK is produced by Apple and will be available to viewers on Apple TV+. The segment is part of a broader effort to present the monarchy in a personal light amid a year of public health concerns and family challenges.