Prince William recently opened up about his parents’ marriage troubles. He shared how those tough times shaped him into the husband and father he is today. It’s clear he’s working hard to create a different path for his own family.
The Prince of Wales, who is 43, spoke candidly on Eugene Levy’s Apple TV+ show, ‘The Reluctant Traveler’. The episode aired on Friday, October 3. He talked about King Charles and the late Princess Diana. William stressed the importance of a warm, secure, and loving home. He feels every family needs this feeling of safety and care.
“All that feeling should be there,” William explained, looking back. “It was part of my younger years, too.” But his parents divorced when he was only eight. He noted that their marriage didn’t last for very long.
Charles, now 76, and Diana had a very public and difficult relationship. They married on July 29, 1981. Charles’s long connection with Camilla Parker Bowles led to their marriage falling apart. He later married Camilla in April 2005. Charles and Diana officially divorced in August 1996. Sadly, Diana passed away unexpectedly in 1997 at just 36 years old.
“You learn from those moments,” William shared. “You try not to repeat the same mistakes your parents made.” He aims to give his children a different experience. He and his wife, Kate Middleton, have three kids: Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. William added that stress and drama during childhood can truly affect you later in life. He wants the best for his own kids.
William also pointed out another big problem for his family growing up. The media was constantly watching and guessing about their lives. This intense spotlight caused much difficulty.
“I saw it happen with my parents,” he recalled. “Reporters were so hungry for news back then. It was much worse than it is now.” They wanted to know every little thing, he explained. They were always around. William swore he would protect his own family from such damage. He sets clear boundaries with the press and will fight anyone who crosses them.
Prince William and Kate Middleton Kirsty Wigglesworth – WPA Pool/Getty Images
In the same chat, William mentioned he and Kate, also 43, are fairly strict parents. They always make sure to eat dinner together.
Eugene Levy, 78, asked if the family always ate together. William quickly said, “Yes, always. We sit and talk, which is very important.” He added that none of their children have phones. They are very firm about this rule. Instead, the kids have other ways to spend their time. Louis loves jumping on the trampoline. Charlotte does too, and they often argue while bouncing around. Charlotte also plays netball and takes ballet lessons. Keeping them busy with sports and outdoor fun is key. They are also trying to learn musical instruments, though William isn’t sure how that’s going. George, meanwhile, loves both football and hockey.